Bicycle electric suspension

ABSTRACT

A bicycle electric suspension comprises a first tube, a second tube, a positioning structure, an electric positioning actuator, and a telescopic controller. The first tube has a center axis. The second tube is telescopically received in the first tube. The positioning structure is configured to relatively position the first tube and the second tube in a telescopic direction extending along the center axis of the first tube. The electric positioning actuator is configured to actuate the positioning structure. The telescopic controller has a pairing signal transmission mode in which the telescopic controller transmits a pairing signal to a bicycle electric device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional application of the U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/453,833 filed Mar. 8, 2017. The contents of thisapplication are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bicycle electric suspension.

Discussion of the Background

Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation aswell as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a verypopular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whetherthe bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, thebicycle industry is constantly improving the various components of thebicycle. One bicycle component that has been extensively redesigned isan electric device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a bicycleelectric suspension comprises a first tube, a second tube, a positioningstructure, an electric positioning actuator, and a telescopiccontroller. The first tube has a center axis. The second tube istelescopically received in the first tube. The positioning structure isconfigured to relatively position the first tube and the second tube ina telescopic direction extending along the center axis of the firsttube. The electric positioning actuator is configured to actuate thepositioning structure. The telescopic controller has a pairing signaltransmission mode in which the telescopic controller transmits a pairingsignal to a bicycle electric device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bicycle provided with a bicyclewireless control system in accordance with a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the bicycle wireless control systemillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the bicycle wireless controlsystem illustrated in FIG. 1 (control mode).

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the bicycle wireless controlsystem illustrated in FIG. 1 (pairing mode).

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a bicycle electric device of thebicycle wireless control system illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an electric telescopic apparatus ofthe bicycle wireless control system illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the electric telescopic apparatusof the bicycle wireless control system illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a front view of another electric telescopic apparatus of thebicycle wireless control system illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a power supply and a connectingstructure of the bicycle electric device illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the power supply and the connectingstructure illustrated in FIG. 5, with a protecting cover.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the connecting structure illustrated inFIG. 5, with an additional cover.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the power supply illustrated in FIG. 5,with an additional cover.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a power supply and a connectingstructure of the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus illustrated inFIG. 6.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a power supply and a connectingstructure of the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus illustrated inFIG. 8.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart of a pairing mode of the bicycle wirelesscontrol system illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic view of a bicycle wireless control system inaccordance with a second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of the bicycle wireless controlsystem illustrated in FIG. 16 (control mode).

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic view of a bicycle wireless control system inaccordance with a third embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of the bicycle wireless controlsystem illustrated in FIG. 18 (control mode).

FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of the bicycle wireless controlsystem illustrated in FIG. 18 (pairing mode).

FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic view of a bicycle wireless control system inaccordance with a first modification.

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic view of a bicycle wireless control system inaccordance with a second modification.

FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic view of a bicycle wireless control system inaccordance with a third modification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The embodiment(s) will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designatecorresponding or identical elements throughout the various drawings.

First Embodiment

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a bicycle 10 includes a bicycle wirelesscontrol system or a bicycle electric component system 12 in accordancewith a first embodiment. While the bicycle 10 is illustrated as amountain bike, the bicycle wireless control system 12 can be applied toa road bike or any type of bicycle.

The bicycle wireless control system 12 comprises a bicycle electricdevice 14 and at least one electric telescopic apparatus 16. In thisembodiment, the bicycle electric device 14 includes an electric rearderailleur (a bicycle electric transmission) RD. However, the bicycleelectric device 14 can include another electric device such as anelectric internal hub transmission, an electric continuously variabletransmission, an electric gearbox, and an electric assist device.

The at least one electric telescopic apparatus (bicycle electrictelescopic apparatus) 16 includes a bicycle electric seatpost assembly(a first electric telescopic apparatus) SP and a bicycle electricsuspension (a second electric telescopic apparatus) FS. However, one ofthe bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP and the bicycle electricsuspension FS can be omitted from the at least one electric telescopicapparatus 16. Furthermore, the at least one electric telescopicapparatus 16 can include another electric telescopic device such as abicycle electric suspension RS instead of or in addition to at least oneof the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP and the bicycle electricsuspension FS.

The bicycle electric seatpost apparatus SP can also be referred to asthe bicycle electric telescopic apparatus SP. The bicycle electricsuspension FS can also be referred to as the bicycle electric telescopicapparatus FS. The electric rear derailleur RD can also be referred to asthe bicycle electric transmission RD. Namely, the bicycle electriccomponent system 12 comprises the bicycle electric telescopic apparatusSP or FS and the bicycle electric transmission RD.

As seen in FIG. 1, the bicycle 10 includes a bicycle body B, a crankassembly BC1, a rear sprocket assembly BC2, a saddle BC3, and a bicyclechain C. The bicycle body B includes a bicycle frame B1, a handlebar B2,a stem B3, a front fork B4, and a rear swing arm B5. The handlebar B2 iscoupled to the front fork B4 with the stem B3. The front fork B4includes the electric front suspension FS. The rear swing arm B5 ispivotally coupled to the bicycle frame B1. The bicycle electricsuspension RS is provided between the bicycle frame B1 and the rearswing arm B5.

The bicycle chain C engages with a front sprocket BC11 of the crankassembly BC1 and the rear sprocket assembly BC2. In the illustratedembodiment, the front sprocket BC11 is a single (solitary) sprocket inthe crank assembly BC1I while the rear sprocket assembly BC2 has twelvespeed stages. However, the crank assembly BC1 can include a plurality offront sprockets. In such an embodiment, the bicycle 10 includes a frontderailleur configured to shift the bicycle chain C relative to theplurality of front sprockets. The saddle BC3 is attached to the bicycleelectric seatpost assembly SP. The bicycle electric seatpost assembly SPis mounted to the bicycle body B to change a position of the saddle BC3relative to the bicycle body B.

In the present application, the following directional terms “front,”“rear,” “forward,” “rearward,” “left,” “right,” “transverse,” “upward”and “downward” as well as any other similar directional terms refer tothose directions which are determined on the basis of a user (e.g., arider) who sits on the saddle BC3 with facing the handlebar B2.Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the bicycle wirelesscontrol system 12, should be interpreted relative to the bicycleequipped with the bicycle wireless control system 12 as used in anupright riding position on a horizontal surface.

As seen in FIG. 1, the rear sprocket assembly BC2 includes first totwelfth rear sprockets R1 to R12. Each of the first to twelfth rearsprockets R1 to R12 has a different total number of teeth. A totalnumber of the rear sprockets R1 to R12 are not limited to thisembodiment. A total number of teeth of the first rear sprocket R1 is thelargest in the rear sprocket assembly BC2. A total number of teeth ofthe twelfth rear sprocket R12 is the smallest in the rear sprocketassembly BC2. The first rear sprocket R1 corresponds to low gear. Thetwelfth rear sprocket R12 corresponds to top gear. The bicycle electricdevice 14 is configured to shift the bicycle chain C relative to thefirst to twelfth rear sprockets R1 to R12 to change a gear stage of thebicycle 10.

As seen in FIG. 2, the bicycle wireless control system 12 furthercomprises a bicycle electric operating device 22. The bicycle electricoperating device 22 is mounted to the handlebar B2 (FIG. 2). The bicycleelectric operating device 22 include a first operating device 24 and asecond operating device 26. The first operating device 24 and the secondoperating device 26 are mounted to the handlebar B2 (FIG. 1). The firstoperating device 24 is a right-hand control device. The second operatingdevice 26 is a left-hand control device. However, the bicycle electricoperating device 22 can include another operating device instead of orin addition to the first operating device 24 and the second operatingdevice 26. One of the first operating device 24 and the second operatingdevice 26 can be omitted from the bicycle electric operating device 22.

In this embodiment, the bicycle electric operating device 22 isconfigured to operate the bicycle electric device 14 and the bicycleelectric seatpost assembly SP. Thus, the bicycle electric operatingdevice 22 can include at least one of an electric shifter and atelescopic operating device. The telescopic operating device can includea seatpost operating device, a front suspension operating device, and arear suspension operating device. Accordingly, the bicycle electricoperating device 22 can also be referred to as the electric shifter 22and/or the telescopic operating device (the seatpost operating device,the front suspension operating device, the rear suspension operatingdevice) 22 in accordance with a function of the bicycle electricoperating device 22. Furthermore, the electric shifter, the seatpostoperating device, the front suspension operating device, and the rearsuspension operating device can at least partly be integrally providedas a single unit or a separate device from each other. In a case whereoperating devices are integrally provided with each other as a singleunit, a user operation can be distinguished based on a manipulationmethod (long press of a switch, simultaneous press of switches).

As seen in FIG. 3, the bicycle electric operating device 22 isconfigured to receive a user operation OP1 from the user. In thisembodiment, the user operation OP1 includes a first user operation OP11and a second user operation OP12. The first operating device 24 isconfigured to receive the first user operation OP11 from the user. Thesecond operating device 26 is configured to receive the second useroperation OP12 from the user. The bicycle electric operating device 22is configured to wirelessly transmit an operation signal WS1 to thebicycle electric device 14 in response to the user operation OP1. Theoperation signal WS1 includes a first wireless signal WS11 and a secondwireless signal WS12. The first operating device 24 is configured towirelessly transmit the first wireless signal WS11 to the bicycleelectric device 14 in response to the first user operation OP11. Thesecond operating device 26 is configured to wirelessly transmit thesecond wireless signal WS12 to the bicycle electric device 14 inresponse to the second user operation OP12.

In this embodiment, the operation signal WS1 is a shift operation signalto operate a shifting device such as the electric rear derailleur RD.The first wireless signal WS11 is an upshift operation signal forupshifting of the electric rear derailleur RD. The second wirelesssignal WS12 is a downshift operation signal for downshifting of theelectric rear derailleur RD. The first wireless signal WS11 and thesecond wireless signal WS12 are distinguishable from each other.

The bicycle electric operating device 22 is configured to wirelesslytransmit a telescopic operation signal WS2 to the bicycle electricdevice 14 in response to the user telescopic operation OP2. In thisembodiment, the user telescopic operation OP2 includes a first usertelescopic operation OP21 and a second user telescopic operation OP22.The first operating device 24 is configured to receive the first usertelescopic operation OP21 from the user. The second operating device 26is configured to receive the second user telescopic operation OP22 fromthe user. The bicycle electric operating device 22 is configured towirelessly transmit a telescopic operation signal WS2 to the bicycleelectric device 14 in response to the user telescopic operation OP2. Thetelescopic operation signal WS2 includes a first telescopic operationsignal WS21 and a second telescopic operation signal WS22. The firstoperating device 24 is configured to wirelessly transmit the firsttelescopic operation signal WS21 to the bicycle electric device 14 inresponse to the first user telescopic operation OP21. The secondoperating device 26 is configured to wirelessly transmit the secondtelescopic operation signal WS22 to the bicycle electric device 14 inresponse to the second user telescopic operation OP22.

In this embodiment, the first telescopic operation signal WS21 is awireless signal to operate the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP.The second telescopic operation signal WS22 is a wireless signal tooperate the bicycle electric suspension FS. The first telescopicoperation signal WS21 and the second telescopic operation signal WS22are distinguishable from each other. The operation signal WS1 and thetelescopic operation signal WS2 are distinguishable from each other.Each of the first telescopic operation signal WS21 and the secondtelescopic operation signal WS22 is distinguishable from each of thefirst wireless signal WS11 and the second wireless signal WS12.

The bicycle electric operating device 22 is configured to wirelesslytransmit identification information ID1 of the bicycle electricoperating device 22. In this embodiment, the first operating device 24is configured to wirelessly transmit identification information ID11 ofthe first operating device 24 to the bicycle electric device 14. Thesecond operating device 26 is configured to wirelessly transmitidentification information ID12 of the second operating device 26 to thebicycle electric device 14.

As seen in FIG. 3, the first operating device 24 includes a firstelectrical switch 24A, a first operating controller 24B, a first powersupply 24C, a first function switch 24D, a first indicator 24E, a firstcircuit board 24F, and a first additional electrical switch 24G. Thefirst electrical switch 24A, the first operating controller 24B, thefirst power supply 24C, the first function switch 24D, the firstindicator 24E, and the first additional electrical switch 24G areelectrically mounted on the first circuit board 24F. The firstelectrical switch 24A is configured to receive the first user operationOP11 from the user. The first additional electrical switch 24G isconfigured to receive the first user telescopic operation OP21 from theuser. Each of the first electrical switch 24A and the first additionalelectrical switch 24G includes a push-button switch. The first operatingcontroller 24B is electrically connected to the first electrical switch24A to wirelessly transmit the first wireless signal WS11 in response tothe first user operation OP11 received by the first electrical switch24A. The first operating controller 24B is electrically connected to thefirst additional electrical switch 24G to wirelessly transmit the firsttelescopic operation signal WS21 in response to the first usertelescopic operation OP21 received by the first additional electricalswitch 24G.

The first power supply 24C is electrically connected to the firstoperating controller 24B and the first indicator 24E to supplyelectricity to the first operating controller 24B and the firstindicator 24E. The first power supply 24C includes a first battery 24C 1and a first battery holder 24C2. The first battery 24C1 is detachablyheld in the first battery holder 24C2. The first battery holder 24C2 iselectrically connected to the first operating controller 24B. Examplesof the first battery 24C1 include a primary battery such as a lithiummanganese dioxide battery, and a secondary battery such as a lithium-ionsecondary battery. In this embodiment, the first battery 24C1 is aprimary button battery.

In this embodiment, the first operating controller 24B includes aprocessor 24B 1, a memory 24B2, and a first wireless communicator 24B3.The processor 24B1, the memory 24B2, and the first wireless communicator24B3 are electrically mounted on the first circuit board 24F.

The processor 24B 1 includes a central processing unit (CPU) and amemory controller. The memory 24B2 is electrically connected to theprocessor 24B 1. The memory 24B2 includes a read only memory (ROM) and arandom-access memory (RAM). The ROM includes a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium. The RAM includes a transitorycomputer-readable storage medium. The memory 24B2 includes storage areaseach having an address in the ROM and the RAM. The processor 24B 1controls the memory 24B2 to store data in the storage areas of thememory 24B2 and reads data from the storage areas of the memory 24B2.The memory 24B2 (e.g., the ROM) stores a program. The program is readinto the processor 24B 1, and thereby functions of the first operatingcontroller 24B is performed.

The memory 24B2 stores the identification information ID11 of the firstoperating device 24. The identification information ID11 of the firstoperating device 24 includes a unique device identification (ID) (e.g.,a value indicative of a shifter) of the first operating device 24. Theidentification information ID11 of the first operating device 24 furtherincludes a value indicative of a device type such as “right-hand side”or “left-hand side.”

The first wireless communicator 24B3 includes a signal transmittingcircuit, a signal receiving circuit, and an antenna. Thus, the firstwireless communicator 24B3 can also be referred to as a first wirelesscommunication circuit or circuitry 24B3. The first wireless communicator24B3 is configured to generate the first wireless signal WS11 based onthe first user operation OP11 received by the first electrical switch24A. The first wireless communicator 24B3 is configured to generate thefirst telescopic operation signal WS21 based on the first usertelescopic operation OP21 received by the first additional electricalswitch 24G. The first wireless communicator 24B3 is configured tosuperimpose digital signals on carrier wave using a predeterminedwireless communication protocol to generate the first wireless signalWS11 or the first telescopic operation signal WS21.

As seen in FIG. 4, the first function switch 24D is configured toreceive a user input IP24 from the user. The first function switch 24Dis electrically connected to the first operating controller 24B to setthe first operating controller 24B to a pairing signal transmission modein which the first operating controller 24B wirelessly transmits aparing signal including the identification information ID11 of the firstoperating device 24 in response to the user input IP24. The firstwireless communicator 24B3 is configured to wirelessly transmit thefirst wireless signal WS11 including the identification information ID11and a shift command (e.g., upshift).

Further, the first wireless communicator 24B3 is configured to receive awireless signal from other bicycle components such as the bicycleelectric device 14. In this embodiment, the first wireless communicator24B3 is configured to receive a pairing completion signal from thebicycle electric device 14. The first wireless communicator 24B3 isconfigured to decode the wireless signal to recognize informationwirelessly transmitted from the bicycle electric device 14. The firstwireless communicator 24B3 may decrypt the encrypted wireless signalusing the cryptographic key.

In this embodiment, the first wireless communicator 24B3 is provided asa wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The first wirelesscommunicator 24B3 is integrally provided as a single module or unit.However, the first wireless communicator 24B3 can be constituted of awireless transmitter and a wireless receiver which are provided asseparate modules or units arranged at different positions from eachother. The function of the wireless receiver can be omitted from thefirst wireless communicator 24B3.

The first indicator 24E is connected to the first operating controller24B to inform a user of a status of the first operating controller 24B.Examples of the status of the first operating controller 24B include asignal transmission status, a power supply status, and a mode of thefirst operating controller 24B. The first indicator 24E includes a lightemitting element such as a light emitting diode (LED). However, thefirst indicator 24E can include other elements such as a buzzer insteadof or in addition to the light emitting element. The first batteryholder 24C2 and the first indicator 24E are electrically mounted on thefirst circuit board 24F. In this embodiment, the first power supply 24Cincludes the first battery 24C1. However, the first power supply 24C caninclude an electricity generation element configured to generate theelectricity using pressure and/or vibration caused by an operation ofthe first electrical switch 24A.

As seen in FIG. 3, the second operating device 26 includes a secondelectrical switch 26A, a second operating controller 26B, a second powersupply 26C, a second function switch 26D, a second indicator 26E, asecond circuit board 26F, and a second additional electrical switch 26G.The second electrical switch 26A, the second operating controller 26B,the second power supply 26C, the second function switch 26D, the secondindicator 26E, and the second additional electrical switch 26G areelectrically mounted on the second circuit board 26F. The secondelectrical switch 26A is configured to receive the second user operationOP12 from the user. The second additional electrical switch 26G isconfigured to receive the second user telescopic operation OP22 from theuser. Each of the second electrical switch 26A and the second additionalelectrical switch 26G includes a push-button switch. The secondoperating controller 26B is electrically connected to the secondelectrical switch 26A to wirelessly transmit the second wireless signalWS12 in response to the second user operation OP12 received by thesecond electrical switch 26A. The second operating controller 26B iselectrically connected to the second additional electrical switch 26G towirelessly transmit the second telescopic operation signal WS22 inresponse to the second user telescopic operation OP22 received by thesecond additional electrical switch 26G.

The second power supply 26C is electrically connected to the secondoperating controller 26B and the second indicator 26E to supplyelectricity to the second operating controller 26B and the secondindicator 26E. The second power supply 26C includes a second battery26C1 and a second battery holder 26C2. The second battery 26C1 isdetachably held in the second battery holder 26C2. The second batteryholder 26C2 is electrically connected to the second operating controller26B. Examples of the second battery 26C 1 include a primary battery suchas a lithium manganese dioxide battery, and a secondary battery such asa lithium-ion secondary battery. In this embodiment, the second battery26C1 is a primary button battery.

In this embodiment, the second operating controller 26B includes aprocessor 26B1, a memory 26B2, and a second wireless communicator 26B3.The processor 26B1, the memory 26B2, and the second wirelesscommunicator 26B3 are electrically mounted on the second circuit board26F.

The processor 26B1 includes a CPU and a memory controller. The memory26B2 is electrically connected to the processor 26B 1. The memory 26B2includes a ROM and a RAM. The ROM includes a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium. The RAM includes a transitorycomputer-readable storage medium. The memory 26B2 includes storage areaseach having an address in the ROM and the RAM. The processor 26B1controls the memory 26B2 to store data in the storage areas of thememory 26B2 and reads data from the storage areas of the memory 26B2.The memory 26B2 (e.g., the ROM) stores a program. The program is readinto the processor 26B1, and thereby functions of the second operatingcontroller 26B is performed.

The memory 26B2 stores the identification information ID12 of the secondoperating device 26. The identification information ID12 of the secondoperating device 26 includes a unique device ID (e.g., a valueindicative of a shifter) of the second operating device 26. Theidentification information ID12 of the second operating device 26further includes a value indicative of a device type such as “right-handside” or “left-hand side.”

The second wireless communicator 26B3 includes a signal transmittingcircuit, a signal receiving circuit, and an antenna. Thus, the secondwireless communicator 26B3 can also be referred to as a second wirelesscommunication circuit or circuitry 26B3. The second wirelesscommunicator 26B3 is configured to generate the second wireless signalWS12 based on the second user operation OP12 received by the secondelectrical switch 26A. The second wireless communicator 26B3 isconfigured to generate the second telescopic operation signal WS22 basedon the user telescopic operation OP3 received by the second additionalelectrical switch 26G. The second wireless communicator 26B3 isconfigured to superimpose digital signals on carrier wave using apredetermined wireless communication protocol to generate the secondwireless signal WS12 and the second telescopic operation signal WS22.

The second function switch 26D is configured to receive a user inputIP26 from the user. The second function switch 26D is electricallyconnected to the second operating controller 26B to set the secondoperating controller 26B to a pairing signal transmission mode in whichthe second operating controller 26B wirelessly transmits a pairingsignal including the identification information ID12 of the secondoperating device 26 in response to the user input IP26. The secondwireless communicator 26B3 is configured to wirelessly transmit thesecond wireless signal WS12 including the identification informationID12 and a shift command (e.g., downshift).

Further, the second wireless communicator 26B3 is configured to receivea wireless signal from other bicycle components such as the bicycleelectric device 14. In this embodiment, the second wireless communicator26B3 is configured to receive a pairing completion signal from thebicycle electric device 14. The second wireless communicator 26B3 isconfigured to decode the wireless signal to recognize informationwirelessly transmitted from the bicycle electric device 14. The secondwireless communicator 26B3 may decrypt the encrypted wireless signalusing the cryptographic key.

In this embodiment, the second wireless communicator 26B3 is provided asa wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The second wirelesscommunicator 26B3 is integrally provided as a single module or unit.However, the second wireless communicator 26B3 can be constituted of awireless transmitter and a wireless receiver which are provided asseparate modules or units arranged at different positions from eachother. The function of the wireless receiver can be omitted from thesecond wireless communicator 26B3.

The second indicator 26E is connected to the second operating controller26B to inform a user of a status of the second operating controller 26B.Examples of the status of the second operating controller 26B include asignal transmission status, a power supply status, and a mode of thesecond operating controller 26B. The second indicator 26E includes alight emitting element such as a light emitting diode (LED). However,the second indicator 26E can include other elements such as a buzzerinstead of or in addition to the light emitting element. The secondbattery holder 26C2 and the second indicator 26E are electricallymounted on the second circuit board 26F. In this embodiment, the secondpower supply 26C includes the second battery 26C1. However, the secondpower supply 26C can include an electricity generation elementconfigured to generate the electricity using pressure and/or vibrationcaused by an operation of the second electrical switch 26A.

As seen in FIG. 3, the bicycle electric device 14 comprises an electricactuator (a first electric actuator) 28. The electric actuator (thefirst electric actuator) 28 is configured to be operated in response toan operation of the bicycle electric operating device 22.

As seen in FIG. 5, the bicycle electric device (a bicycle electrictransmission) 14 further comprises a base member 30 and a movable member32. The movable member 32 is movable relative to the base member 30 tochange the gear stage. The first electric actuator 28 is configured tomove the movable member 32 relative to the base member 30. The basemember 30 is configured to be attached to the bicycle body B (FIG. 1).The electric actuator 28 is configured to move the movable member 32relative to the base member 30 to shift the bicycle chain C relative tothe rear sprocket assembly BC2. The electric actuator 28 is provided inthe base member 30. However, the electric actuator 28 can be provided atthe movable member 32.

In this embodiment, the movable member 32 includes a chain guide 32A, afirst pulley 32B, and a second pulley 32C. The chain guide 32A ismovably coupled to the base member 30. The first pulley 32B is rotatablycoupled to the chain guide 32A. The second pulley 32C is rotatablycoupled to the chain guide 32A. The bicycle chain C is engaged with thefirst pulley 32B and the second pulley 32C.

The electric actuator 28 is operatively coupled to the movable member 32(the chain guide 32A). In this embodiment, the electric actuator 28includes a direct-current (DC) motor having a rotational shaftmechanically coupled to the movable member 32. Other examples of theelectric actuator 28 include a stepper motor and an alternating-current(AC) motor.

As seen in FIG. 3, one of the bicycle electric device 14 and the atleast one electric telescopic apparatus 16 comprises a controller 34 anda switch SW1. The bicycle electric device 14 comprises the controller 34and the switch SW1. The controller 34 has a control mode in which thecontroller 34 receives the operation signal WS1 and/or the telescopicoperation signal WS2 from the bicycle electric operating device 22. Thecontroller 34 is configured to control the electric actuator 28 in thecontrol mode based on the operation signal WS1 without responding totelescopic operation signal WS2. The controller 34 is configured tocontrol the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP in the control modebased on the telescopic operation signal WS2 without responding tooperation signal WS1.

The controller 34 is configured to control the electric actuator 28 tomove the movable member 32 relative to the base member 30 based on theoperation signal WS1 wirelessly transmitted from the bicycle electricoperating device 22. The controller 34 is configured to control theelectric actuator 28 to upshift in response to the first wireless signalWS11. The controller 34 is configured to control the electric actuator28 to downshift in response to the second wireless signal WS12. Thecontroller 34 is in the control mode when the bicycle electric device 14is activated in response to supply of electricity.

As seen in FIG. 4, the controller 34 has a pairing mode in which thecontroller 34 receives identification information of the at least oneelectric telescopic apparatus 16. The identification information ID2includes first identification information ID21 of the first electrictelescopic apparatus SP and second identification information ID22 ofsecond electric telescopic apparatus FS. The controller 34 is configuredto receive the first identification information ID21 of the firstelectric telescopic apparatus SP. The controller 34 is configured toreceive second identification information ID22 of the second electrictelescopic apparatus FS. The controller 34 is configured to receive thefirst identification information ID21 of the first electric telescopicapparatus SP and the second identification information ID22 of thesecond electric telescopic apparatus FS in the pairing mode.

The controller 34 is configured to receive the identificationinformation ID1 of the bicycle electric operating device 22 in thepairing mode. In this embodiment, the controller 34 is configured toreceive the identification information ID11 of the first operatingdevice 24 in the pairing mode. The controller 34 is configured toreceive the identification information ID12 of the second operatingdevice 26 in the pairing mode.

The controller 34 is configured to establish a wireless communicationbetween the controller 34 and the bicycle electric operating device 22in the pairing mode. The controller 34 is configured to establish awireless communication between the controller 34 and the at least oneelectric telescopic apparatus 16 in the pairing mode. In thisembodiment, the controller 34 is configured to establish a wirelesscommunication between the controller 34 and each of the first operatingdevices 24 and 26 in the pairing mode. the controller 34 is configuredto establish a wireless communication between the bicycle electricseatpost assembly SP and the bicycle electric suspension FS in thepairing mode. Namely, the controller 34 is configured to establish awireless communication between the controller 34 and each of the firstoperating devices 24 and 26, the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP,the bicycle electric suspension FS in the pairing mode.

The switch SW1 is electrically connected to the controller 34 to set thecontroller 34 to the pairing mode based on a user input IP1 received bythe switch SW1. The controller 34 is configured to change a mode of thecontroller 34 from the control mode to the pairing mode based on theuser input IP1 received by the switch SW1 in the control mode.

In this embodiment, as seen in FIG. 5, the switch SW1 is a push-buttonswitch and is provided on the base member 30. The controller 34 isconfigured to enter the pairing mode when the switch SW1 is pressed inthe control mode. The controller 34 is configured to return to thecontrol mode when the switch SW1 is pressed in the pairing mode.

As seen in FIG. 3, the controller 34 is configured to wirelesslytransmit a control signal CS to the at least one electric telescopicapparatus 16 based on the telescopic operation signal WS2 wirelesslytransmitted from the bicycle electric operating device 22. The controlsignal CS includes a first control signal CS1 and a second controlsignal CS2. The controller 34 is configured to wirelessly transmit thefirst control signal CS1 to the first electric telescopic apparatus SP.The controller 34 is configured to wirelessly transmit the secondcontrol signal CS2 to the second electric telescopic apparatus FS. Thecontrol signal CS is distinguishable from the operation signal WS1 andthe telescopic operation signal WS2. Each of the first control signalCS1 and the second control signal CS2 is distinguishable from each ofthe operation signal WS1 and the telescopic operation signal WS2 whichare wirelessly transmitted from the bicycle electric operating device22.

The controller 34 is configured to wirelessly transmit the controlsignal CS to the at least one electric telescopic apparatus 16 in thecontrol mode based on the telescopic operation signal WS2 wirelesslytransmitted from the bicycle electric operating device 22. In thisembodiment, the controller 34 is configured to wirelessly transmit thefirst control signal CS1 or the second control signal CS2 based on thetelescopic operation signal WS2. In this embodiment, the controller 34is configured to wirelessly transmit the first control signal CS1 to thefirst electric telescopic apparatus SP based on the first telescopicoperation signal WS21. The controller 34 is configured to wirelesslytransmit the second control signal CS2 to the second electric telescopicapparatus FS based on the second telescopic operation signal WS22. Inthis embodiment, the controller 34 is configured to add theidentification information ID2 to the control signal CS to control theelectric telescopic apparatus 16 after the pairing is completed betweenthe controller 34 and the electric telescopic apparatus 16.Specifically, the controller 34 is configured to add the firstidentification information ID21 of the first electric telescopicapparatus SP to the first control signal CS1 to control the firstelectric telescopic apparatus SP after the pairing is completed betweenthe controller 34 and the telescopic controller 73. The controller 34 isconfigured to add the second identification information ID22 of thesecond electric telescopic apparatus FS to the second control signal CS2to control the second electric telescopic apparatus FS after the pairingis completed between the controller 34 and the telescopic controller173.

In this embodiment, the controller 34 is configured to wirelesslytransmit the control signal CS to the at least one electric telescopicapparatus 16 in the control mode in response to the telescopic operationsignal WS2 wirelessly transmitted from the bicycle electric operatingdevice 22. However, the controller 34 can be configured to wirelesslytransmit the control signal CS (the first control signal CS1 and/or thesecond control signal CS2) to the at least one electric telescopicapparatus 16 in the control mode in response to the operation signal WS1(e.g., the first wireless signal WS11 and/or the second wireless signalWS12). For example, the controller 34 can be configured to wirelesslytransmit the first control signal CS1 to the bicycle electric seatpostassembly SP in the control mode in response to the first and secondwireless signals WS11 and WS12 substantially simultaneously transmittedfrom the bicycle electric operating device 22. The controller 34 can beconfigured to wirelessly transmit the second control signal CS2 to thebicycle electric suspension FS in the control mode in response to thefirst and second wireless signals WS11 and WS12 substantiallysimultaneously transmitted from the bicycle electric operating device22. Furthermore, the controller 34 can be configured to wirelesslytransmit the first control signal CS1 to the bicycle electric seatpostassembly SP in the control mode in response to a wireless signal whichis wirelessly transmitted from the bicycle electric operating device 22based on a long press of one of the first and second electrical switches24A and 26A. The controller 34 can be configured to wirelessly transmitthe second control signal CS2 to the bicycle electric suspension FS inthe control mode in response to a wireless signal which is wirelesslytransmitted from the bicycle electric operating device 22 based on along press of the other of the first and second electrical switches 24Aand 26A. In such embodiments, at least one of the first additionalelectrical switch 24G and the second additional electrical switch 26Gcan be omitted from the bicycle electric operating device 22.

As seen in FIG. 3, the controller 34 is constituted as a microcomputerand includes a processor 34A and a memory 34B. The processor 34Aincludes a CPU and a memory controller. The memory 34B includes a ROMand a RAM. The ROM includes a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium. The RAM includes a transitory computer-readable storage medium.The memory 34B includes storage areas each having an address in the ROMand the RAM. The processor 34A controls the memory 34B to store data inthe storage areas of the memory 34B and reads data from the storageareas of the memory 34B.

At least one program is stored in the memory 34B (e.g., the ROM). The atleast one program is read into the processor 34A, and thereby functionsof the controller 34 are performed. The processor 34A and the memory 34Bare mounted on a circuit board (not shown) and are connected to eachother with a bus 34C.

As seen in FIG. 4, the memory 34B is configured to store theidentification information ID3 of the bicycle electric device 14. Theidentification information ID3 of the bicycle electric device 14includes a unique device ID (e.g., a value indicative of a derailleur)of the first operating device 24. The identification information ID3 ofthe bicycle electric device 14 further includes a value indicative of adevice type such as “front” or “rear.” The memory 34B is configured tostore available device information AD1 including a value indicative of adevice which can be paired with the bicycle electric device 14. In thisembodiment, the available device information AD1 includes a valueindicative of a seatpost, a value indicative of a right-hand shifter,and a value indicative of a left-hand shifter.

In this embodiment, the controller 34 includes a wireless communicatorWC1 configured to receive a wireless signal from other bicyclecomponents such as the at least one electric telescopic apparatus 16 andthe bicycle electric operating device 22. The wireless communicator WC1is configured to wirelessly receive a pairing signal including theidentification information ID2 of the at least one electric telescopicapparatus 16 in the pairing mode. The wireless communicator WC1 isconfigured to wirelessly receive a pairing signal including theidentification information ID1 (the first identification informationID11, the identification information ID12) of the bicycle electricoperating device 22 in the pairing mode.

The wireless communicator WC1 is configured to wirelessly receive theoperation signal WS1 (e.g., the first wireless signal WS11 and/or thesecond wireless signal WS12) and/or the telescopic operation signal WS2(e.g., the first telescopic operation signal WS21 and/or the secondtelescopic operation signal WS22) from the bicycle electric operatingdevice 22 in the control mode after the bicycle electric operatingdevice 22 is paired with the bicycle electric device 14. The wirelesscommunicator WC1 is configured to wirelessly transmit the control signalCS in the control mode.

The wireless communicator WC1 includes a signal receiving circuit, asignal transmitting circuit, and an antenna. Thus, the wirelesscommunicator WC1 can also be referred to as a wireless communicationcircuit or circuitry WC1. The wireless communicator WC1 is electricallymounted on the circuit board (not shown) and is electrically connectedto the bus 34C. The wireless communicator WC1 is configured to decodethe wireless signal to recognize information wirelessly transmitted fromthe bicycle electric operating device 22. The wireless communicator WC1may decrypt the encrypted wireless signal using the cryptographic key.

The wireless communicator WC1 is configured to generate the controlsignal CS based on the telescopic operation signal WS2. The wirelesscommunicator WC1 is configured to superimpose digital signals on carrierwave using a predetermined wireless communication protocol to generatethe control signal CS.

In this embodiment, the wireless communicator WC1 is provided as awireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The wireless communicatorWC1 is integrally provided as a single module or unit. However, thewireless communicator WC1 can be constituted of a wireless transmitterand a wireless receiver which are provided as separate modules or unitsarranged at different positions from each other.

The bicycle electric device 14 comprises a shift position sensor 38 andan actuation driver 40. The electric actuator 28, the shift positionsensor 38, and the actuation driver 40 are connected with each other viaa bus 42. The electric actuator 28, the shift position sensor 38, andthe actuation driver 40 constitute a motor unit 41. The bicycle electricdevice 14 has a plurality of available shift positions. In thisembodiment, the bicycle electric device 14 has eleven available shiftpositions respectively corresponding to the first to twelfth rearsprockets R1 to R12 (FIG. 1).

The shift position sensor 38 is configured to sense a position of theelectric actuator 28 as the shift position of the bicycle electricdevice 14. In this embodiment, the shift position sensor 38 is a contactrotational position sensor such as a potentiometer. The shift positionsensor 38 is configured to sense an absolute rotational position of therotational shaft of the electric actuator 28 as the shift position ofthe bicycle electric device 14. Other examples of the shift positionsensor 38 include a non-contact rotational position sensor such as anoptical sensor (e.g., a rotary encoder) and a magnetic sensor (e.g., ahall sensor).

The shift position sensor 38 is electrically connected to the actuationdriver 40. The actuation driver 40 is configured to control the electricactuator 28 based on the shift position sensed by the shift positionsensor 38. Specifically, the actuation driver 40 is electricallyconnected to the electric actuator 28. The actuation driver 40 isconfigured to control a rotational direction and a rotational speed ofthe rotational shaft based on the shift position and each of the firstand second wireless signals WS11 and WS12.

Furthermore, the actuation driver 40 is configured to stop rotation ofthe rotational shaft to position the chain guide 32A at one of the lowto top gear positions based on the shift position and each of the firstand second wireless signals WS11 and WS12. The actuation driver 40transmits the shift position sensed by the shift position sensor 38 tothe controller 34. The controller 34 stores the shift positiontransmitted from the actuation driver 40 as a latest rear shiftposition. For example, the actuation driver 40 includes an electriccircuit configured to perform the above functions of the actuationdriver 40.

The bicycle electric device 14 further comprises an indicator 44. Theindicator 44 is electrically connected to the controller 34 to indicatethat the controller 34 is in the pairing mode. The indicator 44 isconfigured to indicate completion of reception of identificationinformation ID2 (FIG. 4) of the at least one electric telescopicapparatus 16. The indicator 44 is connected to the controller 34 toinform a user of a status of the controller 34. Examples of the statusof the controller 34 include a signal transmission status, a powersupply status, and a mode of the controller 34. The indicator 44 iselectrically mounted on the circuit board (not shown).

As seen in FIG. 5, the indicator 44 includes a light emitting elementsuch as a light emitting diode (LED). However, the indicator 44 caninclude other elements such as a buzzer instead of or in addition to thelight emitting element. The indicator 44 is provided on the base member30. However, the indicator 44 can be provided at other positions in thebicycle electric device 14.

As seen in FIG. 3, the bicycle electric device (the bicycle electrictransmission) 14 further comprises a power supply (a first power supply)46 configured to supply electricity to the electric actuator (a firstelectric actuator) 28. The power supply 46 is electrically connected tothe controller 34 and the indicator 44 to supply electricity to thecontroller 34 and the indicator 44. Examples of the power supply 46include a primary battery such as a lithium manganese dioxide battery,and a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. In thisembodiment, the power supply 46 is the secondary battery.

The bicycle electric device 14 further comprises a wake-up sensor WK1.The wake-up sensor WK1 is attached to the base member 30. Examples ofthe wake-up sensor WK1 include a vibration sensor, an accelerate sensor,and a non-contact sensor such as a magnetic sensor. In this embodiment,the wake-up sensor WK1 is configured to sense vibration of the bicycleelectric device 14.

The controller 34 has the control mode in which the controller 34controls the electric actuator 28 to actuate the movable member 32. Thecontroller 34 has a sleep mode in which a power consumption of thecontroller 34 is lower than a power consumption of the controller 34 inthe control mode. The controller 34 is configured to change a mode ofthe controller 34 between the control mode and the sleep mode based on adetection result of the wake-up sensor WK1. The controller 34 isconfigured to change the mode of the controller 34 from the control modeto the sleep mode when the wake-up sensor WK1 does not sense thevibration of the bicycle electric device 14 during a sleep determinationtime in the control mode. The controller 34 is configured to change themode of the controller 34 from the sleep mode to the control mode whenthe wake-up sensor WK1 senses the vibration of the bicycle electricdevice 14 in the sleep mode.

The controller 34 is configured to change the mode of the bicycleelectric device 14 between the control mode and the sleep mode based ona detection result of the wireless communicator WC1 in addition to thedetection result of the wake-up sensor WK1. The controller 34 isconfigured to change the mode of the bicycle electric device 14 from thecontrol mode to the sleep mode when the wake-up sensor WK1 does notsense the vibration of the bicycle electric device 14 and the wirelesscommunicator WC1 does not sense a wireless signal during the sleepdetermination time in the control mode. The controller 34 is configuredto change the mode of the bicycle electric device 14 from the sleep modeto the control mode when the wake-up sensor WK1 senses the vibration ofthe bicycle electric device 14 and/or the wireless communicator WC1senses a wireless signal in the sleep mode. The wake-up sensor WK1 canbe omitted from the controller 34. In such an embodiment, the controller34 can be configured to enter one of the control mode and the sleep modewhen an actuation switch is pressed.

As seen in FIG. 6, the at least one electric telescopic apparatus (thebicycle electric telescopic apparatus) 16 comprises a first tube 50, asecond tube 52, a positioning structure 54, and a second electricactuator (an electric positioning actuator) 56. In this embodiment, thebicycle electric seatpost assembly SP comprises the first tube 50, thesecond tube 52, the positioning structure 54, and the second electricactuator 56.

The first tube 50 has a center axis A1. The second tube 52 istelescopically received in the first tube 50. The positioning structure54 is configured to relatively position the first tube 50 and the secondtube 52 in a telescopic direction D1 parallel to the center axis A1 ofthe first tube 50. The second electric actuator (the electricpositioning actuator) 56 is configured to actuate the positioningstructure 54. The second electric actuator 56 is coupled to thepositioning structure 54 to actuate the positioning structure 54. Inthis embodiment, the second electric actuator 56 is mounted on an upperend 52A of the second tube 52. However, the second electric actuator 56can be provided at other positions in the bicycle electric seatpostassembly SP. For example, the second electric actuator 56 can beprovided at a lower end of an interior of the first tube 50 or an upperend of the first tube 50.

The positioning structure 54 includes a rod 58, a guide member 60, aflow control part 62, and a valve unit 64. The first tube 50 and thesecond tube 52 are telescopically arranged with the amount of insertionof the first tube 50 into the second tube 52 being adjustable. The firsttube 50 is secured to the bicycle frame B1 (FIG. 1) by a conventionalclamping arrangement (not shown). The bicycle electric seatpost assemblySP comprises a floating piston 66 movably provided in the second tube52.

The valve unit 64 divides an interior bore of the first tube 50 into afirst fluid chamber 68 and a second fluid chamber 70. The flow controlpart 62 is provided in the guide member 60 to move relative to the valveunit 64 between a closed position P11 and an open position P12 in thetelescopic direction D1. The flow control part 62 is biased by a biasingelement (not shown) toward the closed position P11.

The valve unit 64 is closed when the flow control part 62 is positionedat the closed position P11. The valve unit 64 is open when the flowcontrol part 62 is positioned at the open position P12. The valve unit64 is coupled to the second tube 52 via the guide member 60 to movetogether relative to the first tube 50. The first fluid chamber 68 isdisposed between the valve unit 64 and the floating piston 66. Thesecond fluid chamber 70 is disposed between the valve unit 64 and alower end of the first tube 50. The flow control part 62 cooperates withthe guide member 60 and the valve unit 64 to control flow of fluidbetween the first fluid chamber 68 and the second fluid chamber 70 tochange a position of the first tube 50 relative to the second tube 52.

When the valve unit 64 is closed, the first tube 50 and the second tube52 are relatively positioned relative to each other in the telescopicdirection D1. When the valve unit 64 is open, the first tube 50 and thesecond tube 52 are relatively movable relative to each other in thetelescopic direction D1. The floating piston 66 is disposed in theinterior bore of the second tube 52 and forms a gas chamber 72 disposedbetween the floating piston 66 and an upper end of the second tube 52.The shorter total length of the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SPincreases an inner pressure of the gas chamber 72. The bicycle electricseatpost assembly SP includes structures which have been known in thebicycle field, they will not be described and/or illustrated in detailhere for the sake of brevity.

As seen in FIG. 6, the second electric actuator 56 moves the flowcontrol part 62 from the closed position P11 to the open position P12 inresponse to the first control signal CS1 wirelessly transmitted from thebicycle electric device 14. The second electric actuator 56 keeps theflow control part 62 at the open position P12 for a valve open timeafter receipt of the first control signal CS1. The second electricactuator 56 returns the flow control part 62 to the closed position P11when the valve open time is elapsed. However, the second electricactuator 56 can be configured to keep the flow control part 62 at theopen position P12 during a receipt of the first control signal CS1(e.g., during an operation of the bicycle electric operating device 22).

The second electric actuator 56 is mechanically coupled to the flowcontrol part 62 to move the flow control part 62 between the closedposition P11 and the open position P12. In this embodiment, the secondelectric actuator 56 includes a DC motor. The second electric actuator56 includes a rotational shaft (not shown) to output a rotational force.The rotational shaft is coupled to the flow control part 62 with a gearreducer (not shown). Other examples of the second electric actuator 56include a stepper motor, an AC motor, and an electromagnetic solenoid.

As seen in FIG. 3, the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus (thebicycle electric seatpost assembly) SP further comprises a telescopiccontroller 73, a valve position sensor 74, and a valve actuator driver76. The second electric actuator 56, the valve position sensor 74, andthe valve actuator driver 76 are connected with each other via a bus 78.The second electric actuator 56, the valve position sensor 74, and thevalve actuator driver 76 constitute a seatpost motor unit 77. Thetelescopic controller 73 is configured to control the second electricactuator 56 based on the first control signal CS1 wirelessly transmittedfrom the bicycle electric device 14 without responding to the operationsignal WS1 the telescopic operation signal WS2. The second electricactuator 56, the telescopic controller 73, the valve position sensor 74,and the valve actuator driver 76 are connected to each other with a bus78.

The telescopic controller 73 has a control mode in which the telescopiccontroller 73 receives the first control signal CS1 from the controller34. The telescopic controller 73 is configured to recognize a controlsignal including the first identification information ID21 and to ignoreanother control signal free of the first identification informationID21. Thus, the telescopic controller 73 is configured to recognize thefirst control signal CS1 including the first identification informationID21 and to ignore the second control signal CS2 free of the firstidentification information ID21. The telescopic controller 73 isconfigured to control the second electric actuator 56 in the controlmode based on the first control signal CS1. The telescopic controller 73is in the control mode when the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP isactivated in response to supply of electricity.

The valve position sensor 74 is configured to sense a valve position ofthe flow control part 62 via the second electric actuator 56. In thisembodiment, the valve position sensor 74 is a contact rotationalposition sensor such as a potentiometer. The valve position sensor 74 isconfigured to sense an absolute rotational position of the rotationalshaft of the second electric actuator 56 as the valve position of theflow control part 62. Other examples of the valve position sensor 74include a non-contact rotational position sensor such as an opticalsensor (e.g., a rotary encoder) and a magnetic sensor (e.g., a hallsensor).

The valve position sensor 74 is electrically connected to the valveactuator driver 76. The valve actuator driver 76 is configured tocontrol the second electric actuator 56 based on the first controlsignal CS1 and the position sensed by the valve position sensor 74.Specifically, the valve actuator driver 76 is electrically connected tothe second electric actuator 56. The valve actuator driver 76 isconfigured to control a rotational direction and a rotational speed ofthe rotational shaft based on the valve position and the first controlsignal CS1 wirelessly transmitted from the controller 34. Furthermore,the valve actuator driver 76 is configured to stop rotation of therotational shaft to position the flow control part 62 at one of theclosed position P11 and the open position P12 based on the valveposition and the first control signal CS1 wirelessly transmitted fromthe controller 34.

The valve actuator driver 76 controls the second electric actuator 56 tokeep the flow control part 62 at the closed position P11 while the valveactuator driver 76 does not receive the first control signal CS1. Thevalve actuator driver 76 controls the second electric actuator 56 tomove the flow control part 62 from the closed position P11 to the openposition P12 when the valve actuator driver 76 receives the firstcontrol signal CS1. The valve actuator driver 76 controls the secondelectric actuator 56 to move the flow control part 62 from the openposition P12 to the closed position P11 when the set time is elapsed.

As seen in FIG. 4, the telescopic controller 73 has a pairing signaltransmission mode in which the telescopic controller 73 transmits apairing signal including the first identification information ID21 ofthe bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP. The bicycle electric seatpostassembly SP comprises a seatpost switch SW2. The seatpost switch SW2 iselectrically connected to the telescopic controller 73 to set thetelescopic controller 73 to the pairing signal transmission mode basedon a user input IP2 received by the seatpost switch SW2. The telescopiccontroller 73 is configured to change a mode of the telescopiccontroller 73 from the control mode to the pairing signal transmissionmode based on the user input IP2 received by the seatpost switch SW2 inthe control mode. In a state where the controller 34 is in the paringmode, the telescopic controller 73 transmits the paring signal in theparing signal transmission mode to establish a wireless communicationbetween the telescopic controller 73 and the controller 34.

In this embodiment, as seen in FIG. 7, the seatpost switch SW2 is apush-button switch and is attached to the second tube 52. The seatpostswitch SW2 and the seatpost motor unit 77 are provided at the upper end52A of the second tube 52. The telescopic controller 73 is configured toenter the pairing signal transmission mode when the seatpost switch SW2is pressed in the control mode. The telescopic controller 73 isconfigured to return to the control mode when the seatpost switch SW2 ispressed in the pairing signal transmission mode.

As seen in FIG. 3, the telescopic controller 73 is constituted as amicrocomputer and includes a processor 73A and a memory 73B. Theprocessor 73A includes a CPU and a memory controller. The memory 73Bincludes a ROM and a RAM. The ROM includes a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium. The RAM includes a transitorycomputer-readable storage medium. The memory 73B includes storage areaseach having an address in the ROM and the RAM. The processor 73Acontrols the memory 73B to store data in the storage areas of the memory73B and reads data from the storage areas of the memory 73B.

At least one program is stored in the memory 73B (e.g., the ROM). The atleast one program is read into the processor 73A, and thereby functionsof the telescopic controller 73 are performed. The processor 73A and thememory 73B are mounted on a circuit board (not shown) and are connectedto each other with a bus 73C.

The memory 73B is configured to store the first identificationinformation ID21 of the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP. The firstidentification information ID21 of the bicycle electric seatpostassembly SP includes a unique device ID (e.g., a value indicative of aseatpost) of the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP. The firstidentification information ID21 of the bicycle electric seatpostassembly SP further includes a value indicative of a device type such as“hydraulic” or “motorized.” The memory 73B is configured to storeavailable device information AD2 including a value indicative of adevice which can be paired with the bicycle electric seatpost assemblySP. In this embodiment, the available device information AD2 includes avalue indicative of a rear derailleur.

The telescopic controller 73 is configured to control the electricpositioning actuator 56 based on a wireless signal. In this embodiment,the telescopic controller 73 includes a wireless communicator WC2configured to wirelessly receive the wireless signal from the bicycleelectric device 14. The wireless communicator WC2 is configured towirelessly transmit the pairing signal including the firstidentification information ID21 in the pairing signal transmission mode.The wireless communicator WC2 is configured to wirelessly receive thefirst control signal CS1 from the bicycle electric device 14 in thecontrol mode after the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP is pairedwith the bicycle electric device 14.

The wireless communicator WC2 includes a signal receiving circuit, asignal transmitting circuit, and an antenna. Thus, the wirelesscommunicator WC2 can also be referred to as a wireless communicationcircuit or circuitry WC2. The wireless communicator WC2 is electricallymounted on the circuit board (not shown) and is electrically connectedto the bus 73C. The wireless communicator WC2 is configured to decodethe wireless signal to recognize information wirelessly transmitted fromthe bicycle electric device 14. The wireless communicator WC2 maydecrypt the encrypted wireless signal using the cryptographic key.

The wireless communicator WC2 is configured to generate the pairingsignal including the first identification information ID21 of thebicycle electric seatpost assembly SP. In this embodiment, the wirelesscommunicator WC2 is configured to generate the pairing signal based onthe user input IP2. The wireless communicator WC2 is configured tosuperimpose digital signals on carrier wave using a predeterminedwireless communication protocol to generate the pairing signal.

In this embodiment, the wireless communicator WC2 is provided as awireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The wireless communicatorWC2 is integrally provided as a single module or unit. However, thewireless communicator WC2 can be constituted of a wireless transmitterand a wireless receiver which are provided as separate modules or unitsarranged at different positions from each other.

As seen in FIG. 7, the wireless communicator WC2 is at least partlyprovided on a rear side of one of the first tube 50 and the second tube52. In this embodiment, the wireless communicator WC2 is provided on therear side of the second tube 52. The wireless communicator WC2 includesan antenna. The antenna of the wireless communicator WC2 is provided ona rear side of the second tube 52.

As seen in FIG. 3, the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP furthercomprises an indicator 80. The indicator 80 is electrically connected tothe telescopic controller 73 to indicate that the telescopic controller73 is in the pairing signal transmission mode. The indicator 80 isconnected to the telescopic controller 73 to inform a user of a statusof the telescopic controller 73. Examples of the status of thetelescopic controller 73 include a signal transmission status, a powersupply status, and a mode of the telescopic controller 73. The indicator80 is electrically mounted on the circuit board (not shown).

As seen in FIG. 7, the indicator 80 includes a light emitting elementsuch as a light emitting diode (LED). However, the indicator 80 caninclude other elements such as a buzzer instead of or in addition to thelight emitting element. The indicator 80 is provided at the upper end52A of the second tube 52. However, the indicator 80 can be provided atother positions in the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP.

As seen in FIG. 3, the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus 16comprises a power supply 82 configured to supply electricity to theelectric positioning actuator 156. In this embodiment, the bicycleelectric seatpost assembly SP comprises a power supply 82. The powersupply 82 is electrically connected to the telescopic controller 73 andthe indicator 80 to supply electricity to the telescopic controller 73and the indicator 80. Examples of the power supply 82 include a primarybattery such as a lithium manganese dioxide battery, and a secondarybattery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. In this embodiment, thepower supply 82 is the secondary battery.

The bicycle electric telescopic apparatus SP further comprises a wake-upsensor WK2. The wake-up sensor WK2 is attached to one of the first tube50 and the second tube 52. In this embodiment, the wake-up sensor WK2 isattached to the second tube 52. However, the wake-up sensor WK2 can beattached to the first tube 50. Examples of the wake-up sensor WK2include a vibration sensor, an accelerate sensor, and a non-contactsensor such as a magnetic sensor. In this embodiment, the wake-up sensorWK2 is configured to sense vibration of the bicycle electric telescopicapparatus SP.

The telescopic controller 73 has the control mode in which thetelescopic controller 73 controls the electric positioning actuator 56to actuate the positioning structure 54. The telescopic controller 73has a sleep mode in which a power consumption of the telescopiccontroller 73 is lower than a power consumption of the telescopiccontroller 73 in the control mode. The telescopic controller 73 isconfigured to change a mode of the telescopic controller 73 between thecontrol mode and the sleep mode based on a detection result of thewake-up sensor WK2. The telescopic controller 73 is configured to changethe mode of the telescopic controller 73 from the control mode to thesleep mode when the wake-up sensor WK2 does not sense the vibration ofthe bicycle electric telescopic apparatus SP during a sleepdetermination time in the control mode. The telescopic controller 73 isconfigured to change the mode of the telescopic controller 73 from thesleep mode to the control mode when the wake-up sensor WK2 senses thevibration of the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus SP in the sleepmode.

The telescopic controller 73 is configured to change the mode of thebicycle electric telescopic apparatus SP between the control mode andthe sleep mode based on a detection result of the wireless communicatorWC2 in addition to the detection result of the wake-up sensor WK2. Thetelescopic controller 73 is configured to change the mode of the bicycleelectric telescopic apparatus SP from the control mode to the sleep modewhen the wake-up sensor WK2 does not sense the vibration of the bicycleelectric telescopic apparatus SP and the wireless communicator WC2 doesnot sense a wireless signal during the sleep determination time in thesleep mode. The telescopic controller 73 is configured to change themode of the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus SP from the sleep modeto the control mode when the wake-up sensor WK2 senses the vibration ofthe bicycle electric telescopic apparatus SP and/or the wirelesscommunicator WC2 senses a wireless signal in the sleep mode. The wake-upsensor WK2 can be omitted from the telescopic controller 73.

As seen in FIG. 8, the at least one electric telescopic apparatus (abicycle electric telescopic apparatus) 16 comprises a first tube 150, asecond tube 152, a positioning structure 154, and a second electricactuator (an electric positioning actuator) 156. In this embodiment, thebicycle electric suspension FS comprises the first tube 150, the secondtube 152, the positioning structure 154, and the second electricactuator 156.

The first tube 150 has a center axis A21. The second tube 152 istelescopically received in the first tube 150. The positioning structure154 is configured to relatively position the first tube 150 and thesecond tube 152 in a telescopic direction D2 parallel to the center axisA21 of the first tube 150. The second electric actuator (the electricpositioning actuator) 156 is configured to actuate the positioningstructure 154. The second electric actuator 156 is coupled to thepositioning structure 154 to actuate the positioning structure 154. Thesecond electric actuator 156 is mounted on an upper end 152A of thesecond tube 152. However, the second electric actuator 156 can beprovided at other positions in the bicycle electric suspension FS.

In this embodiment, the positioning structure 154 has a lockout positionand an unlocked position. In the lockout position of the positioningstructure 154, the first tube 150 is locked relative to the second tube152 in the telescopic direction D2. In the unlocked position of thepositioning structure 154, the first tube 150 and the second tube 152are movable relative to each other in the telescopic direction D2 toabsorb shocks from rough terrain. The second electric actuator 156 isoperatively coupled to the positioning structure 154 to switch aposition of the positioning structure 154 between the lockout positionand the unlocked position. The lockout devices for bicycle suspensionsare well known in the bicycle field. Thus, the positioning structure 154can be any type of suitable lockout device as needed and/or desired.

Similarly, the bicycle electric suspension FS comprises a third tube160, a fourth tube 162, and a height adjustment structure 164. The thirdtube 160 has a center axis A22. The fourth tube 162 is telescopicallyreceived in the third tube 160. The height adjustment structure 164 isconfigured to change a relative position between the fourth tube 162 andthe third tube 160 in the telescopic direction D2 parallel to the centeraxis A22 of the third tube 160.

In this embodiment, the height adjustment structure 164 is configured tochange a relative position between the third tube 160 and the fourthtube 162 in the telescopic direction D2. The height adjustment structure164 is manually operated by the user to change the relative positionbetween the third tube 160 and the fourth tube 162 in the telescopicdirection D2. The height adjustment devices for bicycle suspensions arewell known in the bicycle field. Thus, the height adjustment structure164 can be any type of suitable height adjustment device as neededand/or desired.

The second and fourth tubes 152 and 162 are coupled to a crown 168. Thefirst tube 150 is coupled to the third tube 160 with a coupling arm 170.The first tubes 150 and 160 are integrally movable relative to thesecond tubes 152 and 162 to absorb shocks. In the unlocked position ofthe positioning structure 154, the first tube 150 and the third tube 160are respectively movable relative to the second tube 152 and the fourthtube 162 in the telescopic direction D2 to absorb shocks from roughterrain.

As seen in FIG. 3, the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus (thebicycle electric suspension) FS further comprises a telescopiccontroller 173, a lock position sensor 174 and a lock actuator driver176. The second electric actuator 156, the lock position sensor 174, andthe lock actuator driver 176 are connected with each other via a bus178. The second electric actuator 156, the lock position sensor 174, andthe lock actuator driver 176 constitute a suspension motor unit 177. Thetelescopic controller 173 is configured to control the second electricactuator 156 based on the second control signal CS2 wirelesslytransmitted from the bicycle electric device 14. The second electricactuator 156, the telescopic controller 173, the lock position sensor174, and the lock actuator driver 176 are connected with each other viaa bus 178.

The telescopic controller 173 has a control mode in which the telescopiccontroller 173 receives the second control signal CS2 from thecontroller 34. The telescopic controller 173 is configured to recognizea control signal including the second identification information ID22and to ignore another control signal free of the second identificationinformation ID22. Thus, the telescopic controller 173 is configured torecognize the second control signal CS2 including the secondidentification information ID22 and to ignore the first control signalCS1 free of the second identification information ID22. The telescopiccontroller 173 is configured to control the second electric actuator 156in the control mode based on the second control signal CS2. Thetelescopic controller 173 is in the control mode when the bicycleelectric suspension FS is activated in response to supply ofelectricity.

The lock position sensor 174 is configured to sense the position of thepositioning structure 164 via the second electric actuator 156. In thisembodiment, the lock position sensor 174 is a contact rotationalposition sensor such as a potentiometer. The lock position sensor 174 isconfigured to sense an absolute rotational position of the rotationalshaft of the second electric actuator 156 as the position of thepositioning structure 164. Other examples of the lock position sensor174 include a non-contact rotational position sensor such as an opticalsensor (e.g., a rotary encoder) and a magnetic sensor (e.g., a hallsensor).

The lock position sensor 174 is electrically connected to the lockactuator driver 176. The lock actuator driver 176 is configured tocontrol the second electric actuator 156 based on the second controlsignal CS2 and the position sensed by the lock position sensor 174.Specifically, the lock actuator driver 176 is electrically connected tothe second electric actuator 156. The lock actuator driver 176 isconfigured to control a rotational direction and a rotational speed ofthe rotational shaft based on the position and the second control signalCS2 wirelessly transmitted from the controller 34. Furthermore, the lockactuator driver 176 is configured to stop rotation of the rotationalshaft to position the positioning structure 164 at one of the lockoutposition and the unlocked position based on the position and the secondcontrol signal CS2 wirelessly transmitted from the controller 34.

The lock actuator driver 176 controls the second electric actuator 156to change the position of the positioning structure 164 between thelockout position and the unlocked position in response to the secondcontrol signal CS2. The lock actuator driver 176 controls the secondelectric actuator 156 to move the positioning structure 164 from thelockout position to the unlocked position in response to the secondcontrol signal CS2 in a lockout state where the positioning structure164 is in the lockout position. The lock actuator driver 176 controlsthe second electric actuator 156 to move the positioning structure 164from the unlocked position to the lockout position in response to thesecond control signal CS2 in an unlocked state where the positioningstructure 164 is in the unlocked position.

As seen in FIG. 4, the telescopic controller 173 has a pairing signaltransmission mode in which the telescopic controller 173 transmits apairing signal including the second identification information ID22 ofthe bicycle electric suspension FS. The bicycle electric suspension FScomprises a suspension switch SW3. The suspension switch SW3 iselectrically connected to the telescopic controller 173 to set thetelescopic controller 173 to the pairing signal transmission mode basedon a user input IP3 received by the suspension switch SW3. Thetelescopic controller 173 is configured to change a mode of thetelescopic controller 173 from the control mode to the pairing signaltransmission mode based on the user input IP3 received by the suspensionswitch SW3 in the control mode. In a state where the controller 34 is inthe paring mode, the telescopic controller 173 transmits the paringsignal in the paring signal transmission mode to establish a wirelesscommunication between the telescopic controller 173 and the controller34.

In this embodiment, as seen in FIG. 7, the suspension switch SW3 is apush-button switch and is attached to the second tube 152. Thesuspension switch SW3 and the suspension motor unit 177 are provided atthe upper end 152A of the second tube 152. The telescopic controller 173is configured to enter the pairing signal transmission mode when thesuspension switch SW3 is pressed in the control mode. The telescopiccontroller 173 is configured to return to the control mode when thesuspension switch SW3 is pressed in the pairing signal transmissionmode.

As seen in FIG. 3, the telescopic controller 173 is constituted as amicrocomputer and includes a processor 173A and a memory 173B. Theprocessor 173A includes a CPU and a memory controller. The memory 173Bincludes a ROM and a RAM. The ROM includes a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium. The RAM includes a transitorycomputer-readable storage medium. The memory 173B includes storage areaseach having an address in the ROM and the RAM. The processor 173Acontrols the memory 173B to store data in the storage areas of thememory 173B and reads data from the storage areas of the memory 173B.

At least one program is stored in the memory 173B (e.g., the ROM). Theat least one program is read into the processor 173A, and therebyfunctions of the telescopic controller 173 are performed. The processor173A and the memory 173B are mounted on a circuit board (not shown) andare connected to each other with a bus 173C.

The memory 173B is configured to store the second identificationinformation ID22 of the bicycle electric suspension FS. The secondidentification information ID22 of the bicycle electric suspension FSincludes a unique device ID (e.g., a value indicative of a suspension)of the bicycle electric suspension FS. The second identificationinformation ID22 of the bicycle electric suspension FS further includesa value indicative of a device type such as “front” or “rear.” Thememory 173B is configured to store available device information AD3including a value indicative of a device which can be paired with thebicycle electric suspension FS. In this embodiment, the available deviceinformation AD3 includes a value indicative of a rear derailleur.

The telescopic controller 173 is configured to control the electricpositioning actuator 56 based on a wireless signal. In this embodiment,the telescopic controller 173 includes a wireless communicator WC3configured to wirelessly receive the wireless signal from the bicycleelectric device 14. The wireless communicator WC3 is configured towirelessly transmit the pairing signal including the secondidentification information ID22 in the pairing signal transmission mode.The wireless communicator WC3 is configured to wirelessly receive thesecond control signal CS2 from the bicycle electric device 14 in thecontrol mode after the bicycle electric suspension FS is paired with thebicycle electric device 14.

The wireless communicator WC3 includes a signal receiving circuit, asignal transmitting circuit, and an antenna. Thus, the wirelesscommunicator WC3 can also be referred to as a wireless communicationcircuit or circuitry WC3. The wireless communicator WC3 is electricallymounted on the circuit board (not shown) and is electrically connectedto the bus 173C. The wireless communicator WC3 is configured to decodethe wireless signal to recognize information wirelessly transmitted fromthe bicycle electric device 14. The wireless communicator WC3 maydecrypt the encrypted wireless signal using the cryptographic key.

The wireless communicator WC3 is configured to generate the pairingsignal including the second identification information ID22 of thebicycle electric suspension FS. In this embodiment, the wirelesscommunicator WC3 is configured to generate the pairing signal based onthe user input IP3. The wireless communicator WC3 is configured tosuperimpose digital signals on carrier wave using a predeterminedwireless communication protocol to generate the pairing signal.

In this embodiment, the wireless communicator WC3 is provided as awireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The wireless communicatorWC3 is integrally provided as a single module or unit. However, thewireless communicator WC3 can be constituted of a wireless transmitterand a wireless receiver which are provided as separate modules or unitsarranged at different positions from each other.

As seen in FIG. 8, the wireless communicator WC3 is at least partlyprovided on a rear side of one of the first tube 150 and the second tube152. In this embodiment, the wireless communicator WC3 is provided onthe rear side of the second tube 152. The wireless communicator WC3includes an antenna. The antenna of the wireless communicator WC3 isprovided on a rear side of the second tube 152.

As seen in FIG. 3, the bicycle electric suspension FS further comprisesan indicator 180. The indicator 180 is electrically connected to thetelescopic controller 173 to indicate that the telescopic controller 173is in the pairing signal transmission mode. The indicator 180 isconnected to the telescopic controller 173 to inform a user of a statusof the telescopic controller 173. Examples of the status of thetelescopic controller 173 include a signal transmission status, a powersupply status, and a mode of the telescopic controller 173. Theindicator 180 is electrically mounted on the circuit board (not shown).

As seen in FIG. 8, the indicator 180 includes a light emitting elementsuch as a light emitting diode (LED). However, the indicator 180 caninclude other elements such as a buzzer instead of or in addition to thelight emitting element. The indicator 180 is provided at the upper end152A of the second tube 152. However, the indicator 180 can be providedat other positions in the bicycle electric suspension FS.

As seen in FIG. 3, the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus 16comprises a power supply 182 configured to supply electricity to theelectric positioning actuator 156. In this embodiment, the bicycleelectric suspension FS comprises a power supply 182. The power supply182 is electrically connected to the telescopic controller 173 and theindicator 180 to supply electricity to the telescopic controller 173 andthe indicator 180. Examples of the power supply 182 include a primarybattery such as a lithium manganese dioxide battery, and a secondarybattery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. In this embodiment, thepower supply 182 is the secondary battery.

The bicycle electric telescopic apparatus FS further comprises a wake-upsensor WK3. The wake-up sensor WK3 is attached to one of the first tube150 and the second tube 152. In this embodiment, the wake-up sensor WK3is attached to the second tube 152. However, the wake-up sensor WK3 canbe attached to the first tube 150. Examples of the wake-up sensor WK3include a vibration sensor, an accelerate sensor, and a non-contactsensor such as a magnetic sensor. In this embodiment, the wake-up sensorWK3 is configured to sense vibration of the bicycle electric suspensionFS.

The telescopic controller 173 has the control mode in which thetelescopic controller 173 controls the electric positioning actuator 156to actuate the positioning structure 154. The telescopic controller 173has a sleep mode in which a power consumption of the telescopiccontroller 173 is lower than a power consumption of the telescopiccontroller 173 in the control mode. The telescopic controller 173 isconfigured to change a mode of the telescopic controller 173 between thecontrol mode and the sleep mode based on a detection result of thewake-up sensor WK3. The telescopic controller 173 is configured tochange the mode of the telescopic controller 173 from the control modeto the sleep mode when the wake-up sensor WK3 does not sense thevibration of the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus FS during a sleepdetermination time in the control mode. The telescopic controller 173 isconfigured to change the mode of the telescopic controller 173 from thesleep mode to the control mode when the wake-up sensor WK3 senses thevibration of the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus FS in the sleepmode.

The telescopic controller 173 is configured to change the mode of thebicycle electric telescopic apparatus FS between the control mode andthe sleep mode based on a detection result of the wireless communicatorWC3 in addition to the detection result of the wake-up sensor WK3. Thetelescopic controller 173 is configured to change the mode of thebicycle electric telescopic apparatus FS from the control mode to thesleep mode when the wake-up sensor WK3 does not sense the vibration ofthe bicycle electric telescopic apparatus FS and the wirelesscommunicator WC3 does not sense a wireless signal during the sleepdetermination time in the sleep mode. The telescopic controller 173 isconfigured to change the mode of the bicycle electric telescopicapparatus FS from the sleep mode to the control mode when the wake-upsensor WK3 senses the vibration of the bicycle electric telescopicapparatus FS and/or the wireless communicator WC3 senses a wirelesssignal in the sleep mode. The wake-up sensor WK3 can be omitted from thetelescopic controller 173.

As seen in FIG. 2, the bicycle 10 includes a bicycle power supply systemPSS comprising a power supply configured to supply electricity to abicycle electric actuator of an electric component. In this embodiment,the electric component includes the bicycle electric telescopicapparatus SP or FS and the bicycle electric transmission RD. Thus, thebicycle electric transmission RD comprises the power supply (the firstpower supply) 46 configured to supply electricity to the bicycleelectric actuator (the first electric actuator) 28 of the electriccomponent RD. The bicycle electric telescopic apparatus SP comprises thepower supply (the second power supply) 82 configured to supplyelectricity to the bicycle electric actuator (the electric positioningactuator, the second electric actuator) 56 of the electric component SP.The bicycle electric telescopic apparatus FS comprises the power supply(the second power supply) 182 is configured to supply electricity to thebicycle electric actuator (the electric positioning actuator, the secondelectric actuator) 156 of the electric component FS. The power supplies46, 82, and 182 have substantially the same structures as each other tobe replaced with each other. However, at least one of the power supplies46, 82, and 182 can have a structure different from that of anotherpower supply. The power supplies 46, 82, and 182 are exclusive goods forthe bicycle power supply system PSS. However, the power supplies 46, 82,and 182 can have a structure identical to general-purpose products.

As seen in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, the power supply 46 is configured to bedetachably connected to the electric component SP and/or FS other thanthe electric bicycle component 14. The power supply 46 is configured tobe detachably and alternatively connected to each of the bicycleelectric telescopic apparatuses SP and FS.

As seen in FIG. 9, the bicycle electric transmission RD comprises aconnecting structure (a first connecting structure) CS10 configured tobe detachably connected to the power supply (a first power supply) 46 toelectrically connect the power supply 46 to the electric positioningactuator (a first electric actuator) 56. The connecting structure CS10is configured to be detachably connected to the alternative power supply82 and/or 182 configured to supply electricity to at least one of thebicycle electric suspension FS and the bicycle electric seatpostassembly SP. In this embodiment, the connecting structure CS10 isconfigured to be detachably connected to each of the alternative powersupplies 82 and 182.

The connecting structure CS10 includes a lock structure CS11. The lockstructure CS11 has a lock state where the power supply 46 is secured tothe connecting structure CS10 with the lock structure CS11. The lockstructure CS11 has a release state where the power supply 46 isdetachable from the connecting structure CS10.

The lock structure CS11 includes a latch structure CS12. The latchstructure CS12 includes a latch CS13 and a latch spring CS14. The latchCS13 is pivotally coupled to the base member 30. The latch CS13 ispivotable relative to the base member 30 between a lock position P21 andan unlock position P22. The latch spring CS14 is mounted to the basemember 30 to bias the latch CS13 toward the lock position P21. The latchCS13 is at the lock position P21 in the lock state of the lock structureCS11. The latch CS13 is at the unlock position P22 in the unlock stateof the lock structure CS11.

The power supply 46 includes an attachment pawl 46A and an attachmentrecess 46B. The lock structure CS11 includes an attachment openingCS11A. The latch CS13 includes a latch pawl CS13A. The attachment pawl46A is fitted in the attachment opening CS11A in the lock state tocouple the power supply 46 to the base member 30. The latch pawl CS13Ais fitted in the attachment recess 46B in the lock state to couple thepower supply 46 to the base member 30. The power supply 46 is detachablefrom the connecting structure CS10 in a state where the latch CS13 is atthe unlock position P22.

The connecting structure CS10 electrically connects the power supply 46to the electric positioning actuator 56 in the lock state. Theconnecting structure CS10 includes a first electric contact CS15. Thepower supply 46 includes a second electric contact (an electric contact)46C contactable with the first electric contact CS15 in the lock state.

As seen in FIG. 10, the bicycle electric device (the bicycle electricrear derailleur) RD can comprise a protecting cover CS17 detachablyattached to the connecting structure CS10 to protect the power supply 46in the lock state. For example, the protecting cover CS17 includes acover body CS17A, an attachment pawl CS17B, and an attachment pawlCS17C. The cover body CS17A at least party covers the power supply 46 ina state where the protecting cover CS17 is attached to the connectingstructure CS10. The connecting structure CS10 includes a first receivingrecess CS10B and a second receiving recess CS10C. The first pawl CS17Bis fitted in the first receiving recess CS10B to couple the protectingcover CS17 to the connecting structure CS10. The second pawl CS17C isfitted in the second receiving recess CS10C to couple the protectingcover CS17 to the connecting structure CS10. The cover body CS17A coversthe power supply 46 in a state where the first and second pawl CS17B andCS17C are fitted in the first and second receiving recesses CS10B andCS10C. The protecting cover CS17 can be omitted from the bicycleelectric device 14 (the bicycle electric rear derailleur RD).

As seen in FIG. 11, the bicycle electric device 14 (the bicycle electricrear derailleur RD) further comprises an additional cover CS18attachable to the connecting structure CS10 to cover the connectingstructure CS10 in a state where the power supply 46 is detached from theconnecting structure CS10. The additional cover CS18 includes a coverbody CS18A, an attachment pawl CS18B, and an attachment recess CS18C.The attachment pawl CS18B is fitted in the attachment opening CS11A todetachably couple the additional cover CS18 to the connecting structureCS10. The latch pawl CS13A is fitted in the attachment recess CS18C todetachably couple the additional cover CS18 to the connecting structureCS10. The cover body CS18A is fitted in an accommodation opening CS10Dto cover the first electric contact CS15 of the connecting structureCS10 in a state where the additional cover CS18 is attached to theconnecting structure CS10. The additional cover CS18 can be omitted fromthe bicycle electric device 14 (the bicycle electric rear derailleurRD).

As seen in FIG. 12, the bicycle power supply system PSS furthercomprises a power supply cover CS19 configured to be detachably attachedto the power supply 46 in a state where the power supply 46 is detachedfrom the electric component SP. The power supply cover CS19 isconfigured to cover the electric contact CS16 in an attachment statewhere the power supply cover CS19 is attached to the power supply 46.The power supply cover CS19 includes a cover body CS19A, an attachmentopening CS19B, and an attachment pawl CS19C. The cover body CS19A atleast partly covers an attachment surface 46D of the power supply 46 ina state where the power supply cover CS19 is attached to the powersupply 46. The attachment pawl 46A is fitted in the attachment openingCS19B to detachably couple the power supply cover CS19 to the powersupply 46. The attachment pawl CS19C is fitted in the attachment recess46B to detachably couple the power supply cover CS19 to the power supply46. The power supply cover CS19 can be omitted from the bicycle powersupply system PSS.

The power supply cover CS19 includes a charged state indicator CS19Dconfigured to selectively indicate one of a charged state and anon-charged state of the power supply 46. In this embodiment, thecharged state indicator CS19D includes LED lights to indicate a chargedlevel of the power supply 46 in a state where the power supply coverCS19 is attached to the power supply 46. The power supply coverCS19includes an indication circuit CS19E configured to sense the chargedstate or the non-charged state of the power supply 46. The indicationcircuit CS19E includes a contact (not shown) to contact the secondelectrical contact 46C. The indication circuit CS19E is electricallyconnected to the charged state indicator C S 19D to control anindication state of the charged state indicator CS19D based on thesensing result of the charged state or the non-charged state of thepower supply 46. The charged state indicator CS19D and the indicationcircuit CS19E can be omitted from the power supply cover CS19.Furthermore, an operation element can be movably mounted to the powersupply cover CS19. In such an embodiment, the indication circuit CS19Ecan be configured to control the indication state of the charged stateindicator CS19D based on an operation of the operation element. Examplesof the operation element include a lever, a dial, and a push button. Forexample, the operation element is movably mounted to the power supplycover CS19 between an indication position and a non-indication position.The indication circuit CS19E controls the charged state indicator CS19Dto indicate the charged level of the power supply 46 when the operationelement is in the indication position. The indication circuit CS19Eturns the charged state indicator CS19D off when the operation elementis in the non-indication position.

As seen in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, the power supply 82 is configured to bedetachably connected to an electric bicycle component other than thebicycle electric telescopic apparatus SP. In this embodiment, theelectric bicycle component includes the bicycle electric telescopicapparatus FS and the bicycle electric transmission RD. The power supply82 is configured to be detachably and alternatively connected to one ofthe bicycle electric telescopic apparatus FS and the bicycle electrictransmission RD. The power supply 82 is configured to be detachably andalternatively connected to each of the bicycle electric telescopicapparatus FS and the bicycle electric transmission RD.

As seen in FIG. 13, the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus SPcomprises a connecting structure (a second connecting structure) CS20configured to be detachably connected to the power supply (a secondpower supply) 82 to electrically connect the power supply 82 to theelectric positioning actuator (a first electric actuator) 56. Theconnecting structure CS20 is configured to be detachably connected to analternative power supply that is configured to be detachably connectedto the electric bicycle component other than the bicycle electrictelescopic apparatus SP. The connecting structure CS20 is configured tobe detachably connected to the alternative power supply 182 configuredto supply electricity to one of the bicycle electric suspension FS andthe bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP.

In this embodiment, the connecting structure CS20 is configured to bedetachably connected to the alternative power supply 46 configured tosupply electricity to the electric rear derailleur RD provided as theelectric bicycle component. The connecting structure CS20 is configuredto be detachably connected to the alternative power supply 182configured to supply electricity to the bicycle electric suspension FS.

As seen in FIG. 7, the connecting structure CS20 is provided at one ofthe first tube 50 and the second tube 52. The connecting structure CS20is provided at the upper end 52A of the second tube 52 in a mountingstate where the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP is mounted to thebicycle frame B1. The connecting structure CS20 is provided on a frontside of the one of the first tube 50 and the second tube 52 in amounting state where the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP ismounted to the bicycle frame B1. In this embodiment, the connectingstructure CS20 is provided on the front side of the second tube 52 inthe mounting state where the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP ismounted to the bicycle frame B1 (FIG. 1). However, the connectingstructure CS20 can be provided at the second tube 52. The connectingstructure CS20 can be provided on the front side of the first tube 50 inthe mounting state where the bicycle electric seatpost assembly ismounted to the bicycle frame B1.

As seen in FIG. 13, the connecting structure CS20 includes a lockstructure CS21. The lock structure CS21 has a lock state where the powersupply 82 is secured to the connecting structure CS20 with the lockstructure CS21. The lock structure CS21 has a release state where thepower supply 82 is detachable from the connecting structure CS20.

The lock structure CS21 includes a latch structure CS22. The latchstructure CS22 includes a latch CS23 and a latch spring CS24. The latchCS23 is pivotally coupled to the second tube 52. The latch CS23 ispivotable relative to the second tube 52 between a lock position P31 andan unlock position P32. The latch spring CS24 is mounted to the basemember 30 to bias the latch CS23 toward the lock position P31. The latchCS23 is at the lock position P31 in the lock state of the lock structureCS21. The latch CS23 is at the unlock position P32 in the unlock stateof the lock structure CS21.

The power supply 82 includes an attachment pawl 82A and an attachmentrecess 82B. The lock structure CS21 includes an attachment openingCS21A. The latch CS23 includes a latch pawl CS23A. The attachment pawl82A is fitted in the attachment opening CS21A in the lock state. Thelatch pawl CS23A is fitted in the attachment recess 82B in the lockstate. The power supply 82 is detachable from the connecting structureCS20 in a state where the latch CS23 is at the unlock position P32.

The connecting structure CS20 electrically connects the power supply 82to the electric positioning actuator 56 in the lock state. Theconnecting structure CS20 includes a first electric contact CS25. Thepower supply 82 includes a second electric contact (an electric contact)82C contactable with the first electric contact CS25 in the lock state.

As seen in FIG. 10, the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus (thebicycle electric seatpost assembly) SP further comprises a protectingcover CS27 detachably attached to the connecting structure CS20 toprotect the power supply 82 in the lock state. For example, theprotecting cover CS27 includes a cover body CS27A, an attachment pawlCS27B, and an attachment pawl CS27C. The cover body CS27A at least partycovers the power supply 82 in a state where the protecting cover CS27 isattached to the connecting structure CS20. The connecting structure CS20includes a first receiving recess CS20B and a second receiving recessCS20C. The first pawl CS27B is fitted in the first receiving recessCS20B to couple the protecting cover CS27 to the connecting structureCS20. The second pawl CS27C is fitted in the second receiving recessCS20C to couple the protecting cover CS27 to the connecting structureCS20. The cover body CS27A covers the power supply 46 in a state wherethe first and second pawl CS27B and CS27C are fitted in the first andsecond receiving recesses CS20B and CS20C. The protecting cover CS27 canbe omitted from the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus (the bicycleelectric seatpost assembly) SP.

As seen in FIG. 11, the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus (thebicycle electric seatpost assembly) SP further comprises an additionalcover CS28 attachable to the connecting structure CS20 to cover theconnecting structure CS20 in a state where the power supply 82 isdetached from the connecting structure CS20. The additional cover CS28includes a cover body CS28A, an attachment pawl CS28B, and an attachmentrecess CS28C. The attachment pawl CS28B is fitted in the attachmentopening CS21A to detachably couple the additional cover CS28 to theconnecting structure CS20. The latch pawl CS23A is fitted in theattachment recess CS28C to detachably couple the additional cover CS28to the connecting structure CS20. The cover body CS28A is fitted in anaccommodation opening CS2D to cover the first electric contact CS25 ofthe connecting structure CS20 in a state where the additional cover CS28is attached to the connecting structure CS20. The additional cover CS28can be omitted from the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus (thebicycle electric seatpost assembly) SP.

As seen in FIG. 12, the bicycle power supply system PSS furthercomprises a power supply cover CS29 configured to be detachably attachedto the power supply 82 in a state where the power supply 82 is detachedfrom the electric component SP. The power supply cover CS29 isconfigured to cover the electric contact CS26 in an attachment statewhere the power supply cover CS29 is attached to the power supply 82.The power supply cover CS29 includes a cover body CS29A, an attachmentopening CS29B, and an attachment pawl CS29C. The cover body CS29A atleast partly covers an attachment surface 82D of the power supply 82 ina state where the power supply cover CS29 is attached to the powersupply 82. The attachment pawl 82A is fitted in the attachment openingCS29B to detachably couple the power supply cover CS29 to the powersupply 82. The attachment pawl CS29C is fitted in the attachment recess82B to detachably couple the power supply cover CS29 to the power supply82. The power supply cover CS29 can be omitted from the bicycle powersupply system PSS.

The power supply cover CS29 includes a charged state indicator CS29Aconfigured to selectively indicate one of a charged state and anon-charged state of the power supply 82. In this embodiment, thecharged state indicator CS29D includes LED lights to indicate a chargedlevel of the power supply 82 in a state where the power supply coverCS29 is attached to the power supply 82. The power supply coverCS29includes an indication circuit CS29E configured to sense the chargedstate or the non-charged state of the power supply 82. The indicationcircuit CS29E includes a contact (not shown) to contact the secondelectrical contact 82C. The indication circuit CS29E is electricallyconnected to the charged state indicator CS29D to control an indicationstate of the charged state indicator CS29D based on the sensing resultof the charged state or the non-charged state of the power supply 82.The charged state indicator CS29D and the indication circuit CS29E canbe omitted from the power supply cover CS29.

As seen in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, the power supply 182 is configured to bedetachably connected to an electric bicycle component other than thebicycle electric telescopic apparatus FS. In this embodiment, theelectric bicycle component includes the bicycle electric telescopicapparatus SP and the bicycle electric transmission RD. The power supply182 is configured to be detachably and alternatively connected to one ofthe bicycle electric telescopic apparatus SP and the bicycle electrictransmission RD. The power supply 182 is configured to be detachably andalternatively connected to each of the bicycle electric telescopicapparatus SP and the bicycle electric transmission RD.

As seen in FIG. 14, the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus FScomprises a connecting structure (a second connecting structure) CS30configured to be detachably connected to the power supply (a secondpower supply) 182 to electrically connect the power supply 182 to theelectric positioning actuator (a first electric actuator) 156. Theconnecting structure CS30 is configured to be detachably connected to analternative power supply that is configured to be detachably connectedto the electric bicycle component other than the bicycle electrictelescopic apparatus FS. The connecting structure CS30 is configured tobe detachably connected to the alternative power supply 82 configured tosupply electricity to one of the bicycle electric suspension FS and thebicycle electric seatpost assembly SP.

In this embodiment, the connecting structure CS30 is configured to bedetachably connected to the alternative power supply 46 configured tosupply electricity to the electric rear derailleur RD provided as theelectric bicycle component. The connecting structure CS30 is configuredto be detachably connected to the alternative power supply 82 configuredto supply electricity to the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP.

As seen in FIG. 8, the connecting structure CS30 is provided at one ofthe first tube 150 and the second tube 152. The connecting structureCS30 is provided at the upper end 152A of the second tube 152 in amounting state where the bicycle electric suspension FS is mounted tothe bicycle frame B1. The connecting structure CS30 is provided on afront side of the one of the first tube 150 and the second tube 152 in amounting state where the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP ismounted to the bicycle frame B1. In this embodiment, the connectingstructure CS30 is provided at the second tube 152 in the mounting statewhere the bicycle electric suspension FS is mounted to the bicycle frameB1 (FIG. 1). However, the connecting structure CS30 can be provided atthe first tube 150. The connecting structure CS30 can be provided on thefront side of the second tube 152 in the mounting state where thebicycle electric seatpost assembly is mounted to the bicycle frame B1.

As seen in FIG. 14, the connecting structure CS30 includes a lockstructure CS31. The lock structure CS31 has a lock state where the powersupply 182 is secured to the connecting structure CS30 with the lockstructure CS31. The lock structure CS31 has a release state where thepower supply 182 is detachable from the connecting structure CS30.

The lock structure CS31 includes a latch structure CS32. The latchstructure CS32 includes a latch CS33 and a latch spring CS34. The latchCS33 is pivotally coupled to the second tube 152. The latch CS33 ispivotable relative to the second tube 52 between a lock position P41 andan unlock position P42. The latch spring CS34 is mounted to the basemember 30 to bias the latch CS33 toward the lock position P41. The latchCS33 is at the lock position P41 in the lock state of the lock structureCS31. The latch CS33 is at the unlock position P42 in the unlock stateof the lock structure CS31.

The power supply 182 includes an attachment pawl 182A and an attachmentrecess 182B. The lock structure CS31 includes an attachment openingCS31A. The latch CS33 includes a latch pawl CS33A. The attachment pawl182A is fitted in the attachment opening CS31A in the lock state. Thelatch pawl CS33A is fitted in the attachment recess 182B in the lockstate. The power supply 182 is detachable from the connecting structureCS30 in a state where the latch CS33 is at the unlock position P42.

The connecting structure CS30 electrically connects the power supply 182to the electric positioning actuator 156 in the lock state. Theconnecting structure CS30 includes a first electric contact CS35. Thepower supply 182 includes a second electric contact (an electriccontact) 182C contactable with the first electric contact CS35 in thelock state.

As seen in FIG. 10, the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus (thebicycle electric suspension) FS further comprises a protecting coverCS37 detachably attached to the connecting structure CS30 to protect thepower supply 182 in the lock state. For example, the protecting coverCS37 includes a cover body CS37A, an attachment pawl CS37B, and anattachment pawl CS37C. The cover body CS37A at least party covers thepower supply 182 in a state where the protecting cover CS37 is attachedto the connecting structure CS30. The connecting structure CS30 includesa first receiving recess CS30B and a second receiving recess CS30C. Thefirst pawl CS37B is fitted in the first receiving recess CS30B to couplethe protecting cover CS37 to the connecting structure CS30. The secondpawl CS37C is fitted in the second receiving recess CS30C to couple theprotecting cover CS37 to the connecting structure CS30. The cover bodyCS37A covers the power supply 46 in a state where the first and secondpawl CS37B and CS37C are fitted in the first and second receivingrecesses CS30B and CS30C. The protecting cover CS37 can be omitted fromthe bicycle electric telescopic apparatus (the bicycle electricsuspension) FS.

As seen in FIG. 11, the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus (thebicycle electric suspension) FS further comprises an additional coverCS38 attachable to the connecting structure CS30 to cover the connectingstructure CS30 in a state where the power supply 182 is detached fromthe connecting structure CS30. The additional cover CS38 includes acover body CS38A, an attachment pawl CS38B, and an attachment recessCS38C. The attachment pawl CS38B is fitted in the attachment openingCS31A to detachably couple the additional cover CS38 to the connectingstructure CS30. The latch pawl CS33A is fitted in the attachment recessCS38C to detachably couple the additional cover CS38 to the connectingstructure CS30. The cover body CS38A is fitted in an accommodationopening CS3D to cover the first electric contact CS35 of the connectingstructure CS30 in a state where the additional cover CS38 is attached tothe connecting structure CS30. The additional cover CS38 can be omittedfrom the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus (the bicycle electricsuspension) FS.

As seen in FIG. 12, the bicycle power supply system PSS furthercomprises a power supply cover CS39 configured to be detachably attachedto the power supply 182 in a state where the power supply 182 isdetached from the electric component SP. The power supply cover CS39 isconfigured to cover the electric contact CS36 in an attachment statewhere the power supply cover CS39 is attached to the power supply 182.The power supply cover CS39 includes a cover body CS39A, an attachmentopening CS39B, and an attachment pawl CS39C. The cover body CS39A atleast partly covers an attachment surface 182D of the power supply 182in a state where the power supply cover CS39 is attached to the powersupply 182. The attachment pawl 182A is fitted in the attachment openingCS39B to detachably couple the power supply cover CS39 to the powersupply 182. The attachment pawl CS39C is fitted in the attachment recess182B to detachably couple the power supply cover CS39 to the powersupply 182. The power supply cover CS39 can be omitted from the bicyclepower supply system PSS.

The power supply cover CS39 includes a charged state indicator CS39Aconfigured to selectively indicate one of a charged state and anon-charged state of the power supply 182. In this embodiment, thecharged state indicator CS39D includes LED lights to indicate a chargedlevel of the power supply 182 in a state where the power supply coverCS39 is attached to the power supply 182. The power supply coverCS39includes an indication circuit CS39E configured to sense the chargedstate or the non-charged state of the power supply 182. The indicationcircuit CS39E includes a contact (not shown) to contact the secondelectrical contact 182C. The indication circuit CS39E is electricallyconnected to the charged state indicator CS39D to control an indicationstate of the charged state indicator CS39D based on the sensing resultof the charged state or the non-charged state of the power supply 182.The charged state indicator CS39D and the indication circuit CS39E canbe omitted from the power supply cover CS39.

As seen in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, at least one of the first power supply 46and the second power supply 82 or 182 is configured to be detachably andalternatively connected to the first connecting structure CS10 and thesecond connecting structure CS20 or CS3. The first power supply 82 isconfigured to be detachably connected to the second connecting structureCS20 and/or CS3. The second power supply 82 and/or 182 is configured tobe detachably connected to the first connecting structure CS10. However,the structure of the first connecting structure CS10 can be differentfrom the structure of the second connecting structure CS20 and/or CS30.For example, at least one of the first connecting structure CS10 and thesecond connecting structures CS20 and CS30 can include a structureinside which a power supply is accommodated.

As seen in FIG. 7, the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus (thebicycle electric seatpost assembly) SP further comprises a manualoperating member M1 coupled to the positioning structure 54 to manuallyactuate the positioning structure 54 without electricity of the powersupply 82. The manual operating member M1 is coupled to the rotationalshaft of the second electric actuator 56 and includes a tool engagementpart such as a hexagonal hole. The flow control part 62 (FIG. 6) ismanually moved relative to the first tube 50 in the telescopic directionD1 by rotating the manual operating member M1 with a tool such as ahexagonal wrench.

As seen in FIG. 8, the bicycle electric telescopic apparatus (thebicycle electric suspension) FS further comprises a manual operatingmember M2 coupled to the positioning structure 154 to manually actuatethe positioning structure 154 without electricity of the power supply82. The manual operating member M2 is mechanically coupled to thepositioning structure 154 and includes a tool engagement part such as ahexagonal hole. The positioning structure 154 (FIG. 6) is manuallyactuated between the lockout position and the unlocked position byrotating the manual operating member M2 with a tool such as a hexagonalwrench.

As seen in FIG. 15, the controller 34 enters the pairing mode when theswitch SW1 is pressed in the control mode of the bicycle electric device14. The telescopic controller 73 enters the pairing signal transmissionmode when the seatpost switch SW2 is pressed in the control mode of thebicycle electric seatpost assembly SP. The telescopic controller 173enters the pairing signal transmission mode when the suspension switchSW3 is pressed in the control mode of the bicycle electric suspensionFS. The first operating controller 24B enters the pairing signaltransmission mode when the first function switch 24D is pressed in thecontrol mode of the first operating device 24. The second operatingcontroller 26B enters the pairing signal transmission mode when thesecond function switch 26D is pressed in the control mode of the secondoperating device 26. In the pairing mode and the paring signaltransmission mode, for example, the indicators 44, 80, 24E, and 26Eslowly blink.

The telescopic controller 73 periodically transmits pairing signals PS21including the first identification information ID21 of the bicycleelectric seatpost assembly SP in the pairing signal transmission mode ofthe bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP. The telescopic controller 173periodically transmits pairing signals PS22 including the secondidentification information ID22 of the bicycle electric suspension FS inthe pairing signal transmission mode of the bicycle electric suspensionFS. The first operating controller 24B periodically transmits pairingsignals PS11 including the identification information ID11 of the firstoperating device 24 in the pairing signal transmission mode of the firstoperating device 24. The second operating controller 26B periodicallytransmits pairing signals PS12 including the identification informationID12 of the second operating device 26 in the pairing signaltransmission mode of the second operating device 26.

The controller 34 wirelessly receives the pairing signals PS21, PS22,PS11, and PS12 wirelessly transmitted from the telescopic controller 73,the telescopic controller 173, the first operating controller 24B, andthe second operating controller 26B. The controller 34 extracts thefirst identification information ID21, the second identificationinformation ID22, the identification information ID11, and theidentification information ID12 from the pairing signals PS21, PS22,PS11, and PS12. The controller 34 compares the first identificationinformation ID21, the second identification information ID22, theidentification information ID11, and the identification information ID12with the available device information AD1. The available deviceinformation AD1 includes a value indicative of the seatpost such as thebicycle electric seatpost assembly SP, a value indicative of thesuspension such as the bicycle electric suspension FS, a valueindicative of the right-hand side sifter such as the first operatingdevice 24, and a value indicative of the left-hand side shifter such asthe second operating device 26. Thus, the controller 34 stores the firstidentification information ID21, the second identification informationID22, the identification information ID11, and the identificationinformation ID12 in the memory 34B. In the control mode, the controller34 recognizes a wireless signal transmitted from a device paired withthe controller 34 based on the first identification information ID21,the second identification information ID22, the identificationinformation ID11, and the identification information ID12 stored in thememory 34B. However, the controller 34 does not respond to otherwireless signals transmitted from other devices. For example, theindicator 44 quickly blinks when the pairing succeeded.

The controller 34 wirelessly transmits a pairing completion signal PCSindicative of completion of the pairing to the bicycle electric seatpostassembly SP, the bicycle electric suspension FS, the first operatingdevice 24, and the second operating device 26. The telescopic controller73, the first operating controller 24B, and the second operatingcontroller 26B wirelessly receive the pairing completion signal PCS andrecognize that the pairing succeeded. For example, the indicators 80,180, 24E, and 26E quickly blinks after reception of the pairingcompletion signal PCS.

The controller 34 returns to the control mode when a time T1 is elapsedfrom sending of the pairing completion signal PCS. The telescopiccontroller 73 returns to the control mode after the specific time whenthe time T1 is elapsed after the telescopic controller 73 wirelesslyreceives the pairing completion signal PCS. The telescopic controller173 returns to the control mode from the paring signal transmission modeafter the specific time when the time T1 is elapsed after the telescopiccontroller 173 wirelessly receives the pairing completion signal PCS.The first operating controller 24B returns to the control mode from theparing signal transmission mode when the time T1 is elapsed after thefirst operating controller 24B wirelessly receives the pairingcompletion signal PCS. The second operating controller 26B returns tothe control mode from the paring signal transmission mode when the timeT1 is elapsed after the second operating controller 26B wirelesslyreceives the pairing completion signal PCS. For example, each of theindicators 44, 80, 180, 24E, and 26E turns off when the mode is switchedfrom the pairing mode and the paring signal transmission mode to thecontrol mode.

The controller 34 can be configured to keep the pairing mode for apreset time (e.g., 60 seconds) and to return to the control mode whenthe preset time is elapsed from a start of the pairing mode.Furthermore, the controller 34 can be configured to keep the pairingmode until the switch SW1 is pressed again. The same modifications canbe applied to at least one of the telescopic controllers 73 and 173.

In the control mode after the pairing, the controller 34 controls thebicycle electric device 14 and other bicycle components based on awireless signal including the first identification information ID21, awireless signal including the second identification information ID22, awireless signal including the identification information ID11, and awireless signal including the identification information ID12.

The controller 34 can be configured to wirelessly transmit theidentification information ID3 of the bicycle electric device 14 in thepairing mode. In such an embodiment, the telescopic controller 73 can beconfigured to wirelessly receive identification information such as theidentification information ID3 in the pairing signal transmission mode.The telescopic controller 73 can have a pairing mode which is differentfrom the pairing signal transmission mode and in which the telescopiccontroller 73 wirelessly receives identification information such as theidentification information ID3. Similarly, the telescopic controller 173can be configured to wirelessly receive identification information suchas the identification information ID3 in the pairing signal transmissionmode. The telescopic controller 173 can have a pairing mode which isdifferent from the pairing signal transmission mode and in which thetelescopic controller 173 wirelessly receives identification informationsuch as the identification information ID3.

Second Embodiment

A bicycle wireless control system 212 in accordance with a secondembodiment will be described below referring to FIGS. 16 and 17. Thebicycle wireless control system 212 has the same structure and/orconfiguration as those of the bicycle wireless control system 12 exceptfor the bicycle electric device 14 and the bicycle electric operatingdevice 22. Thus, elements having substantially the same function asthose in the first embodiment will be numbered the same here, and willnot be described and/or illustrated again in detail here for the sake ofbrevity.

As seen in FIGS. 16 and 17, the bicycle wireless control system 212comprises a bicycle electric device 214, the at least one electrictelescopic apparatus 16, and a bicycle electric operating device 222. Acontroller 234 of the bicycle electric device 214 has substantially thesame configuration as that of the controller 34 of the bicycle electricdevice 14. For example, the controller 234 is configured to control theelectric actuator 28 to upshift in response to the first wireless signalWS11. The controller 234 is configured to control the electric actuator28 to downshift in response to the second wireless signal WS12.

In this embodiment, as seen in FIG. 17, the bicycle electric device 214and the at least one electric telescopic apparatus 16 synchronize inresponse to the operation signal WS1. The controller 234 is configuredto wirelessly transmit the control signal CS to the at least oneelectric telescopic apparatus 16 based on the operation signal WS1wirelessly transmitted from the bicycle electric operating device 222.The first electrical switch 24A and the second electrical switch 26A areused for operating the at least one electric telescopic apparatus 16(the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP and the bicycle electricsuspension FS). Thus, the first additional electrical switch 24G and thesecond additional electrical switch 26G are omitted from the bicycleelectric operating device 222. Thus, the bicycle electric operatingdevice 222 does not transmit the telescopic operation signal WS2.

The first control signal CS1 is transmitted from the controller 234 tothe first electric telescopic apparatus SP based on the operation signalWS1. The second control signal CS2 is transmitted from the controller234 to the second electric telescopic apparatus FS based on theoperation signal WS1. In this embodiment, the controller 234 isconfigured to wirelessly transmit the first control signal CS1 to thebicycle electric seatpost assembly SP based on one of the first wirelesssignal WS11 and the second wireless signal WS12. The controller 234 isconfigured to wirelessly transmit the second control signal CS2 to thebicycle electric suspension FS based on one of the first wireless signalWS11 and the second wireless signal WS12.

In this embodiment, for example, the controller 234 is configured towirelessly transmit the first control signal CS1 to the bicycle electricseatpost assembly SP based on the second wireless signal WS12 and acurrent gear stage. The controller 234 controls the electric actuator 28to downshift and wirelessly transmits the first control signal CS1 tothe bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP in response to the secondwireless signal WS12 (the downshift operation signal) when the currentgear stage is within a specific gear range (e.g., from the second tosixth gear stages). The downshifting between the first and sixth gearstages is likely to occur when the bicycle runs on an upslope. Thus, therider can adjust the height of the saddle BC3 (e.g., lower the saddleBC3) while the bicycle runs on the upslope. Furthermore, the controller234 controls the electric actuator 28 to upshift and wirelesslytransmits the first control signal CS1 to the bicycle electric seatpostassembly SP in response to the first wireless signal WS11 (the upshiftoperation signal) when the current gear stage is within a specific gearrange (e.g., from the ninth to eleventh gear stages). The upshiftingbetween the ninth and twelfth gear stages is likely to occur when thebicycle runs on a downslope. Thus, the rider can adjust the height ofthe saddle BC3 (e.g., raise the saddle BC3) while the bicycle runs onthe downslope.

Furthermore, the controller 234 is configured to wirelessly transmit thesecond control signal CS2 to the bicycle electric suspension FS based onthe second wireless signal WS12, the current gear stage, and a currentlock position of the bicycle electric suspension FS. The controller 234controls the first electric actuator 28 to upshift or downshift andcontrols the second electric actuator 156 to keep the unlocked positionof the positioning structure 154 when the current gear stage changeswithin a specific gear range (e.g., between the seventh and twelfth gearstages). Thus, the controller 234 does not transmit the second controlsignal CS2 regardless of the first and second wireless signals WS11 andWS12 when the current gear stage changes between the seventh and twelfthgear stages in the unlocked state of the bicycle electric suspension FS.The controller 234 controls the first electric actuator 28 to upshift ordownshift and controls the second electric actuator 156 to keep thelockout position of the positioning structure 154 when the current gearstage changes within a specific gear range (e.g., between the first andsixth gear stages). Thus, the controller 234 does not transmit thesecond control signal CS2 regardless of the first and second wirelesssignals WS11 and WS12 when the current gear stage changes between thefirst and sixth gear stages in the lockout state of the bicycle electricsuspension FS.

The controller 234 controls the first electric actuator 156 to downshiftin response to the second wireless signal WS12 and controls the secondelectric actuator 156 to move the positioning structure 164 from theunlocked position to the lockout position in response to the secondcontrol signal CS2 when the current gear stage changes from the seventhgear stage to the sixth gear stage. The controller 234 controls thefirst electric actuator 156 to upshift in response to the first wirelesssignal WS11 and controls the second electric actuator 156 to move thepositioning structure 164 from the lockout position to the unlockedposition in response to the second control signal CS2 when the currentgear stage changes from the sixth gear stage to the seventh gear stage.Thus, shocks can be absorbed by the bicycle electric suspension FS whenthe bicycle runs on the downslope in the current gear stage is betweenthe first and sixth gear stages.

Third Embodiment

A bicycle wireless control system 312 in accordance with a thirdembodiment will be described below referring to FIGS. 18 to 20. Thebicycle wireless control system 312 has the same structure and/orconfiguration as those of the bicycle wireless control system 12 exceptthat the electric rear derailleur RD is omitted from the bicycleelectric device 14. Thus, elements having substantially the samefunction as those in the above embodiments will be numbered the samehere, and will not be described and/or illustrated again in detail herefor the sake of brevity.

As seen in FIG. 18, the bicycle wireless control system 312 comprises abicycle electric device 314, at least one electric telescopic apparatus316, and a bicycle electric operating device 322. In this embodiment,the bicycle electric device 314 includes the bicycle electric seatpostassembly SP instead of the electric rear derailleur RD. The at least oneelectric telescopic apparatus 316 includes the bicycle electricsuspension FS. The bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP hassubstantially the same configuration as that of the bicycle electricdevice 14 (the electric rear derailleur RD) of the first embodiment. Thefirst electrical switch 24A and the second electrical switch 246A areomitted in the bicycle electric operating device 322.

As seen in FIG. 19, the electric actuator 56 of the bicycle electricdevice 314 is configured to be operated in response to an operation ofthe bicycle electric operating device 322. The controller 73 hassubstantially the same configuration as that of the controller 34 of thefirst embodiment. In this embodiment, the controller 73 is configured tocontrol the electric actuator 56 to actuate the flow control part 62between the closed position P11 and the open position P12 based on thetelescopic operation signal WS2 (e.g., the first telescopic operationsignal WS21) wirelessly transmitted from the bicycle electric operatingdevice 322 (e.g., the first operating device 24). The controller 73 isconfigured to wirelessly transmit the control signal CS to the at leastone electric telescopic apparatus 316 based on the telescopic operationsignal WS2 wirelessly transmitted from the bicycle electric operatingdevice 322. The controller 73 is configured to wirelessly transmit thecontrol signal CS (e.g., the second control signal CS2) to the at leastone electric telescopic apparatus 316 based on the telescopic operationsignal WS2 (e.g., the second telescopic operation signal WS22)wirelessly transmitted from the bicycle electric operating device 322(e.g., the second operating device 26).

As seen in FIG. 20, the switch SW2 has substantially the sameconfiguration as that of the switch SW1 of the first embodiment. Thecontroller 73 has a pairing mode in which the controller 73 receives theidentification information ID22 of the at least one electric telescopicapparatus 316. The switch SW2 is electrically connected to thecontroller 73 to set the controller 73 to the pairing mode based on theuser input IP2 received by the switch SW2. Thus, the bicycle electricsuspension FS is wirelessly operated through the bicycle electricseatpost assembly SP.

In a modification of this embodiment, the bicycle electric device 314can include the bicycle electric suspension FS instead of the bicycleelectric seatpost assembly SP, and the at least one electric telescopicapparatus 316 can include the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SPinstead of the bicycle electric suspension FS.

Modifications

As seen in a bicycle wireless control system 412 illustrated in FIG. 21,the bicycle electric suspension FS can be omitted from the bicyclewireless control system 12 or 212 of the first or second embodimentwhile the at least one electric telescopic apparatus 16 or 216 includesthe bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP. In such a modification of thebicycle wireless control system 12, for example, the second additionalelectrical switch 26G can be omitted from the bicycle electric operatingdevice 22.

As seen in a bicycle wireless control system 512 illustrated in FIG. 22,the bicycle electric seatpost assembly SP can be omitted from thebicycle wireless control system 12 or 212 of the first or secondembodiment while the at least one electric telescopic apparatus 16 or216 includes the bicycle electric suspension FS. In such a modificationof the bicycle wireless control system 12, for example, the firstadditional electrical switch 24G can be omitted from the bicycleelectric operating device 22.

As seen in a bicycle wireless control system 612 illustrated in FIG. 23,an electric front derailleur FD can be added to the bicycle wirelesscontrol system 12, 212, or 312 of the first, second, or third embodimentinstead of or in addition to the bicycle electric suspension FS. In sucha modification of the bicycle wireless control system 12, for example,the bicycle electric operating device 22, 222, or 322 can include anadditional electrical switch to operate the electric front derailleurFD. The electric front derailleur FD includes a power supply 646 havingsubstantially the same structure as that of the power supply 46 of theelectric rear derailleur RD. The power supply 646 is configured tosupply electricity to a bicycle electric actuator 628 of the electriccomponent. In this modification, the electric component includes thebicycle electric telescopic apparatuses SP and FS and the bicycleelectric transmissions RD and FD.

The term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intendedto be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. This concept also applies to words of similarmeaning, for example, the terms “have,” “include” and their derivatives.

The terms “member,” “section,” “portion,” “part,” “element,” “body” and“structure” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts.

The ordinal numbers such as “first” and “second” recited in the presentapplication are merely identifiers, but do not have any other meanings,for example, a particular order and the like. Moreover, for example, theterm “first element” itself does not imply an existence of “secondelement,” and the term “second element” itself does not imply anexistence of“first element.”

The term “pair of,” as used herein, can encompass the configuration inwhich the pair of elements have different shapes or structures from eachother in addition to the configuration in which the pair of elementshave the same shapes or structures as each other.

The terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be usedinterchangeably herein.

Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially,” “about” and“approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation ofthe modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.All of numerical values described in the present application can beconstrued as including the terms such as “substantially,” “about” and“approximately.”

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bicycle electric suspension comprising: a firsttube having a center axis; a second tube telescopically received in thefirst tube; a positioning structure configured to relatively positionthe first tube and the second tube in a telescopic direction extendingalong the center axis of the first tube; an electric positioningactuator configured to actuate the positioning structure; and atelescopic controller having a pairing signal transmission mode in whichthe telescopic controller transmits a pairing signal to a bicycleelectric device.
 2. The bicycle electric suspension according to claim1, wherein the telescopic controller includes a wireless communicatorconfigured to wirelessly transmit the pairing signal includingidentification information of the bicycle electric suspension in thepairing signal transmission mode.
 3. The bicycle electric suspensionaccording to claim 2, wherein the wireless communicator is configured towirelessly receive a wireless signal, and the telescopic controller isconfigured to control the electric positioning actuator based on thewireless signal in the control mode.
 4. The bicycle electric suspensionaccording to claim 3, wherein the wireless communicator is configured towirelessly receive the wireless signal from a bicycle electric device inthe control mode after the bicycle electric suspension is paired withthe bicycle electric device.
 5. The bicycle electric suspensionaccording to claim 2, wherein the wireless communicator is mounted toone of the first tube and the second tube.
 6. The bicycle electricsuspension according to claim 1, further comprising a suspension switchelectrically connected to the telescopic controller set the telescopiccontroller to the pairing signal transmission mode based on a user inputreceived by the suspension switch.
 7. The bicycle electric suspensionaccording to claim 6, wherein the telescopic controller is configured toenter the pairing signal transmission mode if the suspension switch ispressed in the control mode.
 8. The bicycle electric suspensionaccording to claim 6, wherein the telescopic controller is configured toreturn to the control mode if the suspension switch is pressed in thepairing signal transmission mode.
 9. The bicycle electric suspensionaccording to claim 1, wherein the telescopic controller is mounted toone of the first tube and the second tube.
 10. The bicycle electricsuspension according to claim 1, further comprising an indicatorelectrically connected to the telescopic controller to indicate that thetelescopic controller is in the pairing signal transmission mode. 11.The bicycle electric suspension according to claim 10, wherein theindicator is connected to the telescopic controller to inform a user ofa status of the telescopic controller.
 12. The bicycle electricsuspension according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply tosupply electricity to the electric positioning actuator.
 13. The bicycleelectric suspension according to claim 1, wherein the bicycle electricdevice includes at least one of an operating device, an electric rearderailleur, an electric internal hub transmission, an electriccontinuously variable transmission, an electric gearbox, and an electricassist device, and the telescopic controller is configured to transmitthe pairing signal to the at least one of the operating device, theelectric rear derailleur, the electric internal hub transmission, theelectric continuously variable transmission, the electric gearbox, andthe electric assist device in the pairing signal transmission mode.